Ukraine plans to allocate 2.5 billion euros from a European Union (EU) loan for new aircraft, according to a statement from the Swedish government.
Regarding the latest model “Gripen E” aircraft, “the goal is to quickly finalize an agreement for delivery from 2030,” said Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson at a joint press conference with Volodymyr Zelensky at the air force base in Uppsala, located 70 kilometers north of Stockholm.
16 donated aircraft will be delivered at the beginning of 2027, said U. Kristersson.
“This is a historic decision for Sweden, but it also significantly strengthens Ukraine’s air defense,” he added.
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In October, both countries signed a memorandum of intent for the purchase of 100–150 “Gripen E” aircraft, which Kyiv plans.
V. Zelensky said that Ukraine, fighting the Russian invasion since 2022, hopes to buy all 150 planes.
“We hope to secure funding for all of them,” he said.
In 2024, Sweden suspended plans to send “Gripen” aircraft to Ukraine when partner countries requested priority be given to supplying US F-16 fighters.
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