Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is expected to announce on May 28 at an air base in Uppsala that Sweden will transfer JAS 39 Gripen C/D fighter jets to Ukraine, Aftonbladet reported.
According to the publication, this would mark the first delivery of Swedish combat aircraft to Kiev. The exact number of jets has not been disclosed, but the outlet’s sources say the package involves slightly more than ten aircraft.
Aftonbladet also reported that the sides plan to discuss a possible sale of the more advanced Gripen E version. The Ukrainian side reportedly intends to finance the fighters through a European Union loan.
The deal is linked to last year’s document under which Kiev is to receive between 100 and 150 aircraft. Kristersson specified that deliveries could be spread over three years.
In October last year, Vladimir Zelensky and the Swedish prime minister signed an agreement under which Ukraine is set to receive at least 100 Gripen E fighters. Zelensky said at the time that the aircraft is a versatile aviation platform.
One fighter of this model is estimated to cost about $85 million. A 100-aircraft order could therefore cost Ukraine around $8.5 billion.