Eng
Esp

Copyright © 2024 Euromaidanpress.com

The work of Euromaidan Press is supported by the International Renaissance Foundation

When referencing our materials, please include an active hyperlink to the Euromaidan Press material and a maximum 500-character extract of the story. To reprint anything longer, written permission must be acquired from [email protected].

Privacy and Cookie Policies.

Ukraine ready for Swedish Gripens: infrastructure in place, says aviation chief

While Ukraine’s current priority is acquiring F-16s, the country has also submitted all the necessary requests to procure Gripens.
byYevheniia Martyniuk
10/06/2024
2 minute read
JAS-39C Gripen not yet able to fire the AGM-88E.
Ukraine ready for Swedish Gripens: infrastructure in place, says aviation chief

Ukraine’s infrastructure is ready to accommodate Swedish Gripen fighter jets, according to General Serhii Holubtsov, Chief of Aviation of Ukraine’s Air Force. He emphasized that Swedish aircraft are designed to operate from ordinary roads, eliminating the need for specialized takeoff and landing surfaces.

The Saab JAS 39 Gripen is a fourth-generation multi-role fighter aircraft that has been designed with versatility in mind. It is formally classified as a fighter jet, but in reality it is a multi-role aircraft capable of performing various tasks.

https://twitter.com/EuromaidanPress/status/1800121128024703398

“These jets will be very, very simplified for us in the sense that the infrastructure for them is already suitable [in Ukraine]. This aircraft was produced according to the Swedish strategy of dispersion. That is, it can use ordinary roads. It does not require any specialized surface, and it uses the entire range of Western weapons. In other words, everything that can be used on the F-16s can also be used on the Gripens,” Holubtsov told RFE/RL.

While prioritizing F-16s, Ukraine has submitted requests for Gripens. 

“The F-16 was offered first. We are now working on the F-16, building the infrastructure for it… The Gripen is in second place for us. And all requests to Sweden have also been provided. It’s just that this process is not a priority now, but we are considering the possibility of obtaining these aircraft,” Holubtsov added.

However, Sweden paused its plan to transfer them to avoid interfering with the coalition effort to provide F-16s. 

“We were convinced by coalition members to wait with the Gripen,” said Swedish Defense Minister Paul Jonson.

Instead, Sweden is focusing on supplying two Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft, ASC 890, to help Ukraine detect targets up to 500 km away and share data with F-16s.

Read more:

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this.  We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. A little bit goes a long way: for as little as the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, plus become a co-creator and vote for topics we should cover next. Become a patron or see other ways to support. Become a Patron!

To suggest a correction or clarification, write to us here

You can also highlight the text and press Ctrl + Enter

Please leave your suggestions or corrections here



    Euromaidan Press

    We are an independent media outlet that relies solely on advertising revenue to sustain itself. We do not endorse or promote any products or services for financial gain. Therefore, we kindly ask for your support by disabling your ad blocker. Your assistance helps us continue providing quality content. Thank you!

    Related Posts