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No Gripen to Ukraine – Sweden is asked to pause

by AI | 28.May 2024 | Europe in brief AI

Sweden is asked to pause plans to send Jas Gripen to Ukraine. All to be able to focus on an aircraft system: the American F-16.

A JAS 39 Gripen C/D during the military exercise Nordic Response. Photo: Anders Wiklund/TT

Sweden is asked to pause plans to send Jas Gripen to Ukraine, Defense Minister Pål Jonson (M) tells TT.

The announcement comes in Brussels after Jonson had “intensive discussions” with other countries in the air defense coalition that helps Ukraine with both aircraft and air defense systems.

“We have been urged by the other countries running the coalition to wait with the Gripen system. It has to do with the focus now being on implementing the F-16 system,” Jonson explains.

Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway have all promised F-16 planes to Ukraine. The first planes are expected to be delivered as early as this year, which means Gripen will have to wait for now.

“We in no way exclude that it may become relevant later on, but right now the focus on the Ukrainian side is on implementing the F-16 program,” says the defense minister.

The opposition in Sweden has demanded that Sweden should deliver Gripen to Ukraine almost immediately – but that will not be relevant now.

(May 28)