On Wednesday the Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have signed a letter of intent to buy between 100 and 150 Gripen E fighter jets.
The Gripen E fighter jets are Sweden’s most modern and advanced fighter jet the country has.
The Swedish Prime Minister said this will provide Ukraine with great opportunities for Ukraine’s Air Force.
Kristersson said in a statement, “President Zelenskyy and I have just signed a letter of intent. It marks the beginning of a long journey that will bring us closer to a significant export deal for Saab and Sweden with Ukraine.”
He added, “As you know, and as President Zelenskyy knows better than anyone, Sweden is one of Ukraine’s largest military donors.”
He said that the letter of intent “is not aimed at any new donations, but rather at long-term cooperation.
“It’s about the potential for a significant agreement between our two countries, involving the production of 100 to 150 Gripen E-series aircraft.
“The goal is to build a strong air force in Ukraine.”
The Swedish Prime Minister concluded, this deal marks “the beginning of a long journey for the next 10 to 15 years,” and this will be a “long term ambitions” to deter Russia’s continued aggression.
“We have begun work to support Ukraine’s Gripen fleet, and we expect that future contracts will allow us to receive at least 100 such aircraft,” Zelensky said during a press conference in Sweden on Wednesday.
The Gripen E fighter jet can cruise at the speed of Mach 1.1 whilst carrying an air-to-air payload and has a 27mm Mauser BK-27 cannon.
The fighter jet carries air-to-air missiles such as the AIM-9 Sidewinder, air-to-air AGM-65 Maverick missiles and anti-ship missiles like the RBS-15.
The Gripen E can also carry a long-range MBDA Meteor missiles, the short range IRIS-T missile and the GBU-49 laser guided bomb.
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