New GriPen E for Ukraine will only be after the war: whether Swedes will supply old fighters
However, the minister made it clear that the potential acquisition depends on the end of the war in Ukraine, in addition, any agreement "should be a long-term project. " According to the official, the Swedish side is ready for faster decisions - in particular, to the transfer of aircraft of preliminary modifications of Gripen C/D.
This option has been discussed for the first month and, according to experts, has a more realistic appearance given the limited rate of production of new GriPen E and a large portfolio of orders. In turn, the fighter manufacturer SAAB also supports the idea of transferring its aircraft to Ukraine. However, the company's management emphasizes that the supply agreement of an earlier version has only a political context.
Stockholm also noted that GriPen E can be the basis for the creation of a unified park of Ukrainian Air Force. This position is based on the fact that Sweden already has the experience of integration of these aircraft into the armed forces of partner countries-the Czech Republic, Hungary, Brazil and Thailand. At the same time, experts warn that the final composition of the Ukrainian air park has not yet been determined.
And in the post -war period, other countries, including France with Dassault Rafale, will compete for the right of supply. "So far, Gripen remains" suspended in the air ". However, if it was put on a pause for better assimilation of the F-16, then with the beginning of Miraage 2000 supply, a window may also open for SAAB machine," analytics summed up.
We will remind, Ukrainian experts periodically raise the possibility of strengthening Ukrainian aviation with Swedish fighters Jas 39 Gripen, produced by SAAB. In favor of such a decision, arguments are made that Ukraine already has the experience of operating SAAB equipment. For example, DRLV ASC-890. However, technologically GriPen is inferior to modern combat vehicles.