Ukraine expects deliveries of Swedish Gripen fighter jets - MoD
Illustrative photo: Ukraine may receive Gripen fighter jets (Getty Images)
Sweden may transfer multi-role Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine. Details of the deliveries are not yet known, Deputy Defense Minister Lieutenant General Ivan Havrylyuk mentioned this in an interview with the BBC.
According to Havrylyuk, additional deliveries of F-16s, Mirage jets, and even Gripens are "expected."
He did not disclose exactly when or how many fighter jets Ukraine will receive. In his words, "you’ll know when you see them in the sky."
When asked whether Ukraine will indeed receive all the aforementioned aircraft — F-16s, Mirages, and Gripens — the general replied, "Practically, you named the types correctly, but I won’t go into details on when, which, or how many."
As of now, Ukraine has not been provided with Gripen fighters, nor has their delivery been officially announced.
Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson stated on September 3 that Gripen jets could be sold to Ukraine, but only after the full-scale war ends.
Gripen
The Saab JAS 39 Gripen is a multi-role light fighter jet produced by the Swedish company Saab. There are several variants: the older C/D versions and the newer E/F models. The C model is equipped with a 27 mm Mauser cannon, has eight weapon hardpoints, and can carry air-to-air missiles, as well as guided bombs and air-to-ground missiles.
The Gripen is already in service in several countries and continues to expand its operational use.
