Zelensky: Kyiv is discussing with Sweden the acquisition of Gripen fighters – The “identity” of the aircraft – Video

After procurement of F-16 fighter jets Kiev is also “targeting” the Swedish-made Gripen fighter jets.

Ukraine has started talks with Sweden about the possibility of acquiring Gripen fighters, the Ukrainian president announced today Saturday Volodymyr Zelensky following a meeting he had with the Swedish prime minister at the prime minister’s country residence outside Stockholm.

Accompanied by his wife Olena Zelenska, the Ukrainian president is visiting Sweden and he said he is there to meet with Prime Minister Ulf Kristerson, the royal family and other officials to thank them for their support for Ukraine in the face of the invasion of Russia.

Olena @ZelenskaUA and I met with HM King Carl XVI Gustaf and HM Queen Silvia. We highly value Sweden’s strong support for Ukraine. We thanked Their Majesties for their solidarity with Ukrainians who were forced to flee Russian aggression and seek temporary refuge in Sweden. pic.twitter.com/aWbPE9dpUu

— Volodymyr Zelenskyi (@ZelenskyyUa) August 19, 2023

As the Ukrainian president wrote on the social network X (known as Twitter), in the meetings he will have he will discuss about issues of military cooperation and about the prospects of his country’s accession to the EU.

“My wife and I thank all the Swedes who support Ukraine,” He wrote.

Ukraine is defending itself against the total Russian invasion it received almost 18 months ago.

For its part, Sweden decided to join NATO on the occasion of Russian aggression.

Ten outcomes of our talks with @SwedishPM Ulf Kristersson.

1. We agreed to work on the joint production of CV-90s armored vehicles in Ukraine.

2. Ukrainian warriors began training to operate Swedish “Archers”.

3. Ukrainian pilots are already taking part in testing “Gripen”… pic.twitter.com/niPSOke4OG

— Volodymyr Zelenskyi (@ZelenskyyUa) August 19, 2023

Gripen’s “identity”.

The Saab JAS 39 Gripen is a Swedish fighter aircraft manufactured by the SAAB company. In 1979 the Swedish government conducted research studies to develop a fighter aircraft capable of performing reconnaissance missions to replace the older Saab 35 Draken and 37 Viggen models. Due to various problems that arose especially with the electronic systems the production of the Saab JAS 39 Gripen was delayed and it finally entered service in 1997. So far Saab, in cooperation with other international companies, has built 240 aircraft. The cost of the aircraft today is between 40 and 60 million dollars.