Ukraine is in talks on Gripen and Eurofighter fighters

22 September, 2024 Spanish Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon. Photo credits: Geoffrey Lee Ukraine is negotiating with its allies to receive Swedish Gripen and European Eurofighter fighter jets.

Defense Minister Rustem Umierov announced this during a national telethon. "We already have commitments from our partners on the F-16 fighter jets and commitments on the Mirage jet fighters. Consultations are underway on Gripen fighters, consultations are underway on Eurofighter fighters.

This is a very good list of platforms, and we are discussing when they will start," Umerov said. This summer, Ukraine received its first F-16 fighter jets from the allies, but it needs a much larger number of aircraft to achieve air superiority. According to Umierov, Ukraine is currently in talks with its allies, explaining how many aviation brigades and aircraft we need.

Maryna Bezrukova, Director of the Defense Procurement Agency, and Rustem Umierov, Minister of Defense of Ukraine.

Photo from the Minister's page

The government is also telling partners what weapons are needed to strengthen the Ukrainian Air Force. "Last year, we focused on training pilots, obtaining platforms and building infrastructure. This year, we are working to achieve superiority in the skies," Rustem Umierov shared.

The Defense Minister noted that Russia is currently using up to 300 airplanes and the same number of helicopters in the war against Ukraine, which poses a serious challenge to the Ukrainian military. Rustem Umierov also emphasized the importance of scaling up negotiations with partners to increase aviation, announcing solutions that are currently being worked on. Swedish Defense Minister Paul Jonson previously stated that the country has not yet made a decision to transfer Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine.

SAAB JAS-39E Gripen fighter jet of the Swedish Air Force, 2023.

Photo credits: flickr.com

The reason is that Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway are already preparing to deliver F-16s to Ukraine, so the JAS-39 Green should wait so as not to interfere with the Aviation Coalition.

The fourth-generation Eurofighter Typhoon multi-role fighter jet is in service with many European countries, which could potentially transfer it to Ukraine.