LET’S GO!!!
Kristersson stated that, based on current production capacity, the first Gripen deliveries could take place within three years of a finalized contract. He emphasized, however, that the letter of intent marks only the beginning of discussions and does not yet constitute a binding sale.
This will be likely an “after the war” thing, no matter, this is such a large amount of aircraft the strategic implications are major and precede the arrival of the physical aircraft.
Hopefully this makes Trump feel left out so he greenlights the AH-1Z and UH-1Y helicopter sale.
Edit 1 United24 indicates actually Ukrainian pilots are already being trained on the Gripens and would start flying next year, can’t find any more on that yet to confirm though.
Edit 2 Yeah ok this timeline is likely faster than it appears, Ukrainian pilots started testing these Gripens in 2023.
https://www.sverigesradio.se/artikel/jonsson-ukrainska-piloter-har-testat-gripen
“Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson emphasized that any sale of new-build Gripen E/F fighters could only occur after the end of the war with Russia”. Seriously??? At what point does the EU start to understand the dangers at their doorstep and the one country holding back the hoards?
This is the E/F variant, we JUST got the first of the E variant in our own Airforce.
I would not be surprised to hear that as we replace the current C/D variants they will be shipped to Ukraine.
The C/D variants are still highly capable.
Also a hundred planes, this deal probably means technology transfer and the establishment of a factory in Ukraine, even if they use Antonov to run the factory it will take years for it to be built and start building planes.
When you consider that a lot of fighter procurement programs takes decades, this is amazingly quick.
This is increadibly forward thinking, this means that when the war is over there is one huge decision less to make, you just have an action plan, and Sweden can prepare equipment and training so Ukraine can hit the ground running.
It’s honestly a great idea, and it’s simultaneously awesome to see European countries starting to diversify away from the US-centric military industrial complex.
I see now that the quote does refer to the latest generation. That is great news if they can get the earlier variants sooner, it just seems like Ukraine needs jets now AND in three years time. If C/D variants can be sent now and in three years the new variants can be sent that is great news.
I mean, that is a LOT of jets, 3 years isn’t that long for such a massive aquisition.
What this says to me is these military industrial powers are confident Russia is unable to radically change the momentum of the war and are thinking 10 years down the road to the next step of war for Russian imperialism.
I am not sure how much that future war is feasible for Russia anymore though.
All that being said, yes it is infuriating, nobody is a pawn to be pushed around in geopolitics and I totally get Ukrainians being exasperated by this nonsense.
This guy (and a few others who have the same opinion) are not “the EU”. The EU consists of a lot of ppl and most understand that.
This looks like traditional Swedish policies from when Sweden was a neutral country, and tried to be ethical about weapons deliveries. Considering it more ethical that the population trying to defend itself was killed, than having Swedish weapons kill the enemy. That is of course a very simplistic way of portraying their policies, the goal was also to not escalate ongoing conflicts.
The problem here is that the only way to end this war more quickly is to give Ukraine access to everything they need. Unless we want to allow Russia to win their unprovoked illegal invasion, followed up with daily war crimes.
The ONLY ethical choice here is to help Ukraine!
Fuck Sweden for this morally irresponsible policy!
Not all of EU is like this, most famously Denmark and the Baltic countries have been trying to remove such limitations, limitations were very much advocated by Biden’s USA even when they claimed they wanted to help, they wouldn’t really allow Ukraine to win. But also Germany has been very reluctant to remove limitations on Ukraine.
But I must say I’m SHOCKED that Sweden also chooses this immoral policy.
As I posted below, this is specifically about the completely new E/F variant, our own air force just took delivery of the first jet in the E/F series this monday.
I suspect that as deliveries to our air force continue we will start sending some C/D jets to Ukraine.
This is in fact a very resonable way forward.
That does not at all align with what you claim.
Troll