Ukrainian pilots completed test flights on Gripen fighters in Sweden. Defense Minister Paul Johnson called it “indicative preparations.”
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As we said earlier, we do not rule out sending Gripen to Ukraine. The experience gained during the training program should form the basis of ongoing work to determine the conditions for this, says the head of the Ministry of Defense.
This training includes test flights in both simulators and aircraft, as well as lectures for technicians. According to Jonson, based on the results of these trainings, it will be determined whether there are grounds for sending Gripen aircraft to Ukraine.
The day before, Sweden for the first time allowed the possibility of transferring these aircraft to Ukraine.
On August 19, Vladimir Zelensky at a press conference with the Prime Minister of Sweden said that discussions were underway on the possibility of providing these aircraft to Ukraine, and test tests of the Swedish JAS 39 Gripen fighters with the participation of Ukrainian pilots had already begun.
After this, a statement was made by the Swedish Prime Minister: Sweden does not yet plan to transfer JAS 39 Gripen fighters to Ukraine, said Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. The country itself needs these aircraft for protection while it is not a NATO member.
Meanwhile, the Swedish Ministry of Defense and Saab will accelerate the transfer of Gripen E fighters to the Swedish PS.
This is reported by the official website of the Swedish Defense Logistics Agency.
According to the new agreement signed between the management and Saab, the manufacturer will adjust plans for the transfer of new aircraft and increase their functionality by integrating new weapons.
The signed contract for the purchase of Gripen E fighters in 2013 changed several times, in addition, the Swedish Air Force planned to completely update the existing fleet with new fighters.
The threat from Russia has only pushed the Defense Department to accelerate the acquisition of these fighters.
Source: Racurs
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