All articles tagged with #gripen fighter jets
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has demanded "respect" from Sweden before his country ratifies Sweden's bid to join NATO. Orban stated that Sweden has no leverage over Hungary, even though Hungary's air force flies Swedish Gripen fighter jets, and threatened to switch to other aircraft if necessary.
Ukrainian pilots have completed their first training with Sweden's Gripen fighter jets, although it is yet to be confirmed whether Stockholm will donate any of the jets to Kyiv. The training, which included test flights and information sessions, will help determine whether Sweden can provide Ukraine with Gripens. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been urging Western allies to supply modern fighter jets to defend against Russia, and Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway have already pledged to donate F-16 jets. The United States is also training Ukrainian pilots. Russian President Vladimir Putin criticized the donations, claiming they would only prolong the conflict.
Sweden is reportedly exploring the possibility of sending Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine, as Kyiv seeks advanced aircraft and training from the US and European partners. The Gripen is considered a highly capable and effective fighter jet, offering operational compatibility with Ukraine's air force. However, the transfer and training process would take time, and the fighter jets may not see combat experience until mid-2024 at the earliest. While Sweden has previously ruled out sending Gripens to Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed optimism about the possibility. Meanwhile, Ukraine is also pursuing training on American-made F-16s, with the potential for operating other types of fighter aircraft in the future.