Ukraine in talks for Gripen and Eurofighter jets, Defense Minister says

Ukraine's Defense Minister Umierov reveals negotiations for Gripen and Eurofighter jets, in addition to secured F-16 and Mirage-2000 commitments.

Sep 22, 2024 - 03:00

Ukraine in talks for Gripen and Eurofighter jets, Defense Minister says

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Ukraine is actively negotiating with Western allies to acquire Swedish Gripen and Eurofighter jets, in addition to the already committed American F-16s and French Mirage-2000s, according to Defense Minister Rustem Umierov. The minister claimed this announcement during a national telethon, as reported by Liga.

Umierov state on Ukrainian TV:

“We now already have commitments from partners regarding F-16s and Mirages. Consultations are ongoing for Gripen and Eurofighter. This is a very good list of platforms, and we are discussing when they will start arriving.”

The minister expressed hope that Ukraine would soon have results to announce regarding these negotiations, signaling potential progress in the country’s efforts to modernize and diversify its air force.

Eurofighter Typhoon was developed as a multinational European project, with its primary users being the air forces of the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Umierov did not specify which countries Ukraine is in talks with regarding potential Eurofighter supplies.

Debates about the possibility of providing Gripen jets to Ukraine have been ongoing since 2022. In August 2023, Sweden’s Prime Minister stated that Gripen jets were still needed by the country until it joined NATO. Sweden officially became a member of the Alliance in March 2024.

In July, Sweden’s Foreign Minister revealed that there had been a readiness to transfer Gripen fighters to Ukraine, but Kyiv allegedly declined the offer. The alleged reason was Ukraine’s decision that managing two fighter systems simultaneously – F-16s and Gripens – would be too complex logistically. Ukraine’s Presidential Office, however, claimed that the negotiations for the Swedish fighter jets continued.

Ukraine received its first F-16s from European allies around early August, marking a significant milestone in its efforts to bolster its air defense capabilities.

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