Sweden, Ukraine sign letter of intent for supply of Gripen fighters

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said Wednesday that Sweden and Ukraine had signed a letter of intent to develop air capabilities, which could see Ukraine buy up to 150 Gripen fighter jets.

Speaking alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at a press conference in Sweden, Kristersson said the letter of intent would create the conditions for a “very large defence industry deal”.

“Probably somewhere between 100 and 150 fighter jets of the model Gripen E that are now beginning to be made,” he said, adding the deal could have a 10- to 15-year timeline.

The letter of intent did not provide any specific dates, but Kristersson said he expected the first planes to be delivered to Ukraine “within three years”.

“The Gripen is a priority for our army,” Zelensky said.

Last year, Sweden suspended plans to send its Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine, after partner countries requested that priority be given to American F-16s.