21.08.2023 15:00Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on Monday that Sweden needs the Gripen fighter jets for its own defense as the country’s bid to join NATO is still pending.This is reported by The Guardian, Ukrinform saw.“
We don’t rule anything out in the future,” he told the TV4 channel. “We will do everything we can to support them also with aircraft. But right now there are no new commitments to provide Swedish aircraft to Ukraine.
As reported, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy paid a visit to Sweden, the Netherlands, and Denmark over this weekend.
On August 20,the Netherlands and Denmark announced their decisions to donate to Ukraine a number F-16 fighter jets. Ukrainian pilots and maintenance specialists have already started mastering the aircraft. Denmark expects to deliver the first F-16s to Ukraine closer to the end of the year.
(C)UKRINFORM 2023
I told you so.
Well, I did expect some change in his attitude, not still the very same excuses he already voiced in February. What’s wrong with that guy, nothing going on in his brain?
Amazingly short sighted as usual.
Never mind the missed commercial opportunity, as long as Russia remains knee deep in the shit show that their invasion of Ukraine has become there is little chance that they will be looking to attack a country as strong as Sweden.
What’s more th eUS already gave it’s assurances that Sweden will be treated like a defacto NATO ally as far a invasion is concerned.
So what is the big deal? Or more accurately, the lack of one?
Even if they are a NATO member they still need an air force. Their argument is right, they don’t have sufficient numbers to donate a substantial numbers of air frames.
They had more than half a year since the first request (maybe even a whole year, I don’t remember clearly) to rev up production. And yet, there’s nothing happening, it seems. But despite not offering anything, they still invite ukrainian pilots to test the Gripen. What for, what’s the plan? This doesn’t make much sense to me.
Does ‘Budapest Memorandum’ ring a bell?
Sweden didn’t sign that.
Absolutely fine to me.
I think it would only delay the F-16’s as the diplomatic debate will only become more complicated if they are considering various platforms.
I think the focus should be on F-16’s as there simply aren’t a lot of Gripen air frames so we would have to wait years for them to be manufactured new.
Yes, Sweden could maybe miss 20 air frames, but that will not be sufficient for Ukraine.
I think Gripens will be something for the long term. The Dutch and Danish F-16’s are available right now, do not need a lot of upgrades and spare parts and missiles are in almost all NATO states inventory.
Yes, the Gripen is superior on paper and better suited to Ukraine’s needs. But: Ukraine needed them yesterday, not in 5 years.
And imagine Sweden does donate some it will only become harder to keep so many different platforms in working order.
Just go for F-16’s, as many of them as possible and as soon as possible.
They are absolutely fine against Russian jets and to provide air support and SEAD missions.
In like 5-10 years they the F-16’s will probably be worn out, but that is fine but then they can be gradually replaced by Gripens (even the latest model not yet in service in Sweden) at that time as a long term solution.
“Yes, Sweden could maybe miss 20 air frames, but that will not be sufficient for Ukraine.”
Ukraine seems to have even less combat ready SU-24 now. For such a small air force, even twenty modern jet fighters are a valuable addition. And the Gripen has STOL abilities that would be very useful. Plus, the ability to use the most modern long range air-to-air missile meteor. So, those Saabs could engage in hunting russian jets, while the F-16 do tactical bombing. What’s not to like?
Why doesn’t he simply order new production? That would be more helpful than all those lame excuses every other week.
Breaking: Greece will train ukrainian pilots.
“Sweden needs Gripens for own defense”
Against whom?