Saab signs $2.54 billion Gripen fighter jet deal with Ukraine
Key Details of the Saab-Ukraine Gripen Fighter Jet Agreement
Delivery Timeline and Aircraft Models
(In paragraph 3, specifies that deliveries of Gripen E aircraft to begin in 2029, Zelenskiy says Gripen C/D aircraft to be delivered in 2027)
June 30 (Reuters) - Swedish defence equipment maker Saab signed a contract on Tuesday to deliver 16 Gripen E fighter aircraft to Ukraine in a deal worth about 24.6 billion Swedish crowns ($2.54 billion).
Statements from Ukrainian and Swedish Officials
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, writing on the Telegram messaging app, said the agreement reached with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson involved the purchase of 16 Gripen E aircraft and included technical support.
Saab said deliveries of the aircraft were scheduled for 2029-2030. In remarks on the Ukrainian presidential website, Zelenskiy said deliveries of Gripen C/D aircraft would begin early in 2027.
Broader Defence Cooperation and Additional Projects
Zelenskiy said he had discussed implementation of the agreement and broader defence cooperation with Swedish Defence Minister Pal Jonson during a meeting in Kyiv on Tuesday, including drone and missile-defence projects.
Comparison to Previous Plans
The deal differed from plans outlined by Zelenskiy in May, when he said Ukraine would buy 20 Gripen E fighter jets and Sweden would provide a further 16 older-model Gripens to support Kyiv's war effort against Russia.
Financial and Reporting Information
($1 = 9.6979 Swedish crowns)
(Reporting by Anna Peverieri in Barcelona, Additional reporting by Ronald Popeski, Editing by Nick Zieminski)