Britain and Sweden plan to supply Ukraine with 16 Gripen fighter jets by 2029, with London committing €300 million, or about $345 million, to the program, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said.
Starmer announced the initiative during his final visit to Kiev as head of the British government. His remarks were broadcast by Sky News.
Downing Street said the aircraft are expected to be delivered by 2029. Dozens of British companies are set to take part in their production.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson previously announced plans to provide Ukraine with a total of 32 Gripen jets. Half of the aircraft will be used. He did not specify a delivery schedule, saying only that the new and previously operated fighters would arrive in Kiev at different times.
Moscow maintains that Western arms shipments obstruct a peaceful settlement and directly draw NATO countries into the conflict. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said that the Russian Armed Forces will regard any military cargo sent to Kiev, as well as NATO personnel operating in the combat zone, as legitimate targets.