Swedish fighter jets for Ukraine could be funded with Russian frozen assets
Photo: Pål Jonson (Getty Images)
Sweden allows the use of part of Ukraine's reparations loan from frozen Russian assets for the production of 100-150 Jas 39 Gripen E fighter jets, according to Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson.
According to him, Sweden is considering the possibility of using frozen Russian assets for these purposes.
Memorandum on fighter jets
On October 22, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson signed a memorandum providing for the possibility of Ukraine purchasing the latest fighter jets. Ukraine will be able to buy up to 150 Gripen E fighter jets.
According to Zelenskyy, the first Gripen fighter jets could be delivered to Ukraine as early as next year.
Gripen
The JAS 39 Gripen is a Swedish fourth-generation multi-role fighter jet developed by Saab. Its name comes from a mythical creature, the griffin, which symbolizes divine power.
The JAS 39 Gripen E is a modern fourth-generation multi-role fighter developed by Saab. It is an improved version of previous Gripen models, offering enhanced performance and capabilities.
According to open sources, the Jas 39 Gripen E fighter costs about $85 million.
Russian assets
The EU is currently discussing the purposes for which €140 billion in reparation loan for Ukraine could be spent. Paris and Berlin want the money to go towards weapons from Europe. The Netherlands, as well as the Scandinavian and Baltic countries, are opposed to this. They insist that Ukraine should have complete freedom to dispose of the funds, including the ability to purchase weapons from American companies.
