Sweden and Ukraine sign a letter of intent for more than 100 Gripen E fighters, with deliveries likely after the war, according to Swedish officials.

LET’S GO!!!

Kristersson stated that, based on current production capacity, the first Gripen deliveries could take place within three years of a finalized contract. He emphasized, however, that the letter of intent marks only the beginning of discussions and does not yet constitute a binding sale.

This will be likely an “after the war” thing, no matter, this is such a large amount of aircraft the strategic implications are major and precede the arrival of the physical aircraft.

Hopefully this makes Trump feel left out so he greenlights the AH-1Z and UH-1Y helicopter sale.

Edit 1 United24 indicates actually Ukrainian pilots are already being trained on the Gripens and would start flying next year, can’t find any more on that yet to confirm though.

Edit 2 Yeah ok this timeline is likely faster than it appears, Ukrainian pilots started testing these Gripens in 2023.

https://www.sverigesradio.se/artikel/jonsson-ukrainska-piloter-har-testat-gripen

  • Buffalox@lemmy.world
    53·
    6 days ago

    This looks like traditional Swedish policies from when Sweden was a neutral country, and tried to be ethical about weapons deliveries. Considering it more ethical that the population trying to defend itself was killed, than having Swedish weapons kill the enemy. That is of course a very simplistic way of portraying their policies, the goal was also to not escalate ongoing conflicts.

    The problem here is that the only way to end this war more quickly is to give Ukraine access to everything they need. Unless we want to allow Russia to win their unprovoked illegal invasion, followed up with daily war crimes.

    The ONLY ethical choice here is to help Ukraine!
    Fuck Sweden for this morally irresponsible policy!

    Not all of EU is like this, most famously Denmark and the Baltic countries have been trying to remove such limitations, limitations were very much advocated by Biden’s USA even when they claimed they wanted to help, they wouldn’t really allow Ukraine to win. But also Germany has been very reluctant to remove limitations on Ukraine.

    But I must say I’m SHOCKED that Sweden also chooses this immoral policy.

    • stoy@lemmy.zip
      6·
      6 days ago

      As I posted below, this is specifically about the completely new E/F variant, our own air force just took delivery of the first jet in the E/F series this monday.

      I suspect that as deliveries to our air force continue we will start sending some C/D jets to Ukraine.

      This is in fact a very resonable way forward.

      • Buffalox@lemmy.world
        13·
        6 days ago

        political and operational risks of supplying advanced combat aircraft into an active conflict zone.

        That does not at all align with what you claim.