Ukraine and Sweden Sign Letter Of Intent For Gripen E Negotiations
Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelensky and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson signed a letter of intent on cooperation between the Swedish and Ukrainian air forces on Wednesday, including a possible export sale of no less than 100 of Saab’s Gripen E multirole aircraft.
The letter of intent, which covers exchange of experience and knowledge on air combat and defence between the two nations’ air forces in addition to the possible sale, was signed at Saab’s Linkoping production facility for the Gripen. The signing took place with a Gripen E behind the two leaders, following a demonstration flight of a Gripen E to Zelensky and his delegation visiting the facility.
Kristersson said the letter of intent would not result in near term aircraft deliveries but was rather a “beginning of a long journey for the next 10 to 15 years”, noting that the Gripen Es would only be available for export to Ukraine in three years at the soonest. He added that Sweden would work with its allies to explore “different possibilities” for long-term funding of Ukraine’s military needs, as the issue of funding was “decisive” for the potential sale of the Gripens.
Zelensky said his government had decided to prioritize the procurement of Gripens due to Russia’s advantage in combat aircraft, praising it as one of the three best combat aircraft available to Ukraine. He added that Ukraine would “do everything” needed to meet its commitments under the letter of intent.
The letter of intent was signed shortly after the Swedish Air Force officially took delivery of its first operational Gripen E on 20 October.
When asked about progress on peace negotiations, Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine was “ready for diplomacy, but just as I have told the President of the United States of America, the issue is that we do not see the readiness of Russia”, saying that recent Russian diplomatic efforts were intended to stall new Western sanctions, diplomatic meetings and the transfer of Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine. “They just delay the decisions that constitute part of the pressure on Russia.”
Zelensky added that Ukraine was “truly” interested in cooperation with Saab and Sweden’s defense industry on joint development and production of drones, adding that the topic had been discussed during a meeting with Saab leadership.