Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that his country seeks to acquire Swedish "Gripen" fighters next year and start using them, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
"Gripen" are a priority for our army. "It's about money, about maneuvers," the Ukrainian leader said at a joint press conference with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristershon in the southern Swedish city of Linköping.
Zelensky added that Kiev is also interested in the joint production of drones with the Swedish defense company "Saab".
Kristershon, for his part, announced that the two countries have signed an agreement on long-term cooperation in the field of air defense, which includes the possibility of exporting to Ukraine between 100 and 150 newly manufactured "Gripen E" fighter jets.
The two leaders met in the city of Linköping and visited a plant of the "Saab" company, which produces the "JAS-39 Gripen" fighter jets, the "GlobalEye" surveillance aircraft (GlobalEye), missile systems, anti-tank infantry weapons and other military equipment.
"We fully understand that we have a long way to go", said the Swedish prime minister. "But from today we are committed to exploring all options for providing Ukraine with a large number of "Gripen" fighters in the future," he added.
The supply of Swedish fighters to Ukraine has been a discussed prospect for the past two years. However, Kiev is focused on introducing the armament of US-made F-16 fighters, the first of which were delivered to Ukraine in August last year.
Nevertheless, Ukrainian pilots have visited Sweden to test the "Gripen" fighters, which are a reliable and relatively cheaper option compared to the F-35 and other military aircraft.
The "Gripen" have been in service since 1996 and Saab has produced a total of 280 aircraft. Sweden last year ordered 60 of the latest Gripen E fighter jets, and Saab is increasing its production capacity in Linköping to be able to produce between 20 and 30 aircraft per year within two years.
"Saab" also produces Gripen fighters in Brazil.
Before arriving in Linköping, Zelensky visited Oslo, where the Norwegian government announced that it was donating another 1.5 billion Norwegian kroner ($149.4 million) to Ukraine to purchase natural gas to use for electricity and heating.