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Media: Sweden to consider sending Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine

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Media: Sweden to consider sending Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine
The Swedish Air Force's JAS-39C Gripen during the International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford on July 21, 2019, in Fairford, U.K. (Photo credit: Matthew Horwood/Getty Images)

The Swedish government will instruct the country's military to investigate the possibility of sending Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine, the Swedish Radio's news service Ekot reported on Sept. 12, citing its sources.

Stockholm also wants information on how would the transfer affect Sweden's defense capabilities and how soon could the Swedish military acquire new Gripen jets as compensation, the outlet said.

The study should further address the training of Ukrainian pilots and other personnel.

Kyiv has been seeking to obtain modern Western fighter jets to bolster its Air Force in the fight against Russian aggression.

Sweden agreed to allow test flights for Ukrainian pilots on Gripen jets but has so far refused to pledge the aircraft itself. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said that Stockholm needs to take its own security into account as it is not yet a NATO member.

Gripens are not the only Western jets that Ukraine seeks to acquire. Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands have already pledged to transfer some of their F-16 planes and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that Kyiv is also interested in French-made Rafale jets.

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Martin Fornusek

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Martin Fornusek is a reporter for the Kyiv Independent, specializing in international and regional politics, history, and disinformation. Based in Lviv, Martin often reports on international politics, with a focus on analyzing developments related to Ukraine and Russia. His career in journalism began in 2021 after graduating from Masaryk University in Brno, Czechia, earning a Master's degree in Conflict and Democracy Studies. Martin has been invited to speak on Times Radio, France 24, Czech Television, and Radio Free Europe. He speaks English, Czech, and Ukrainian.

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