Sweden may transfer its Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine after F-16 aircraft reach the country. However, the Swedish alternative currently is to provide Ukraine with two Airborne Surveillance and Control (ASC 890) aircraft.
Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström stated this before a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Prague, as reported by a Ukrinform correspondent.
“We will not supply Swedish Gripen jets at this time because the message from the F-16 coalition is that integrating two types of aircraft simultaneously would be complicated. Therefore, the Gripen may be provided after the F-16s and the coalition has completed its work,” Billström noted.
According to him, the Swedish government has offered Ukraine a strategic alternative: to provide two reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft, which are “a crucial addition to the F-16 coalition, as this equips Ukraine with capabilities it currently lacks, bolstering its defense.”
He also noted that increasing ammunition production in the EU and Ukraine is currently necessary.
The Swedish minister reported that Kyiv could use the weapons provided by Stockholm “without any restrictions” in compliance with international humanitarian law. He added that Kyiv has properly used all military aid Sweden has provided to Ukraine so far.
“Ukrainians themselves determine how to defend themselves. Russia violated international law by attacking Ukraine, so they have the right to self-defense,” Bilstrom emphasized.
In his opinion, everything possible must be done to ensure that Ukraine wins this war, as victory would mean that Putin has not achieved his strategic goal of capturing Ukraine and undermining the international order and security architecture in Europe.
“Therefore, it is in the interests of both NATO and the EU for Ukraine to win this war,” the Swedish politician stated.
He stressed that Sweden is firmly committed to supporting Ukraine until its victory is secured. Bilstrom also expressed the belief that only Ukraine has the sovereign right to decide when it wants to enter peace negotiations with Russia.
The Swedish government will provide Ukraine with a new military aid package worth 13.3 billion Swedish kronor (1.16 billion euros). Sweden is also allocating 650 million Swedish kronor (56.5 million euros) to increase Ukraine’s electricity production and transmission capacity.
