Zelensky: Ukraine discusses the possibility of acquiring Swedish Gripen fighters

Ukraine would like to acquire the multirole Swedish 4th-generation Gripen fighters and is already discussing the possibility of their handover to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Source. This was stated by the country's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, following negotiations with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.

"We don't have air superiority. We don't have modern planes. And the Swedish Gripen is the pride of your nation. I believe that your Prime Minister could share this pride with Ukraine. We are working on this; we have taken significant steps," he said, as reported by the European Pravda media outlet.

Zelensky promised to make every effort to "open the opportunity to acquire" the Gripen.

"I will be meeting with the Speaker of the Parliament, representatives of parliamentary factions, and will raise this issue as one of the key ones for the defence of our sky," said the president.

Zelensky reminded that Ukrainian pilots were already undergoing training on these fighters – an agreement that had been reached earlier this year.

"I am confident that the Gripen can make our freedom much more secure," he noted.

Additionally, Zelensky informed that he would hold talks with several countries in the next two days regarding providing Ukraine with modern aviation. "I am confident that together with partners we will do everything and achieve the desired result in the skies, so the russians don't have the upper hand," said the president, without specifying which countries he plans to contact on this matter.

The Ukrainian government has repeatedly sought assistance with fighters from several countries, including Sweden. In February of this year, Kristersson denied Zelensky the provision of Gripens, emphasizing that they are needed for his country's army.

According to Military Balance, the Swedish Air Force has six fighter squadrons in its arsenal, each comprising 16 Gripen aircraft.