Sweden seeks to preserve the possibility of transferring Gripen fighters to Ukraine

Sweden seeks to maintain “freedom of action” to be able to transfer Gripen fighters to Ukraine.

Aftonbladet reported on this with reference to the Swedish Defense Minister Paul Johnson.

The country has not yet made a decision to transfer these aircraft to Ukraine. According to Jonson, this has to be approved by the international coalition.

“Right now, the focus is on Ukraine being able to use the F16s that several countries have provided. But we want to keep the freedom of action to be able to transfer the Gripen fighters later,” says Johnson.

In addition, Sweden aims to reduce the cost of 60 new Gripen E aircraft ordered by the Swedish parliament by using parts from 96 existing C/D models.

By allocating SEK 2.3 billion for the purchase of new parts for the Gripen E, Sweden will not need to dispose of some C/D aircraft.

In May, it was reported that Sweden had paused the plan to provide Ukraine with JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets for the sake of F-16 integration.

The reason is that Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway are already preparing to deliver F-16s to Ukraine, so the JAS-39 Green should wait so as not to interfere with the aviation coalition.

At the same time, Sweden’s Minister of Defense does not exclude that the country would provide Ukraine with its aircraft in the future.

In July, Militarnyi reported with reference to Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström, that Ukraine might receive Swedish JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets after the delivery of F-16s was completed.

In 2023, Ukrainian pilots completed introductory training on Gripen fighters. The training of Ukrainian military pilots comprised training on simulators and practical flights on JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets.

The discussion of the possibility of transferring Swedish fighter jets arose after Sweden joined NATO and signed a collective security agreement.