Gripen aircraft production in Ukraine to begin in 2033 – Defense Minister Shmyhal
Ukraine has agreed with Sweden on the supply of 150 Saab JAS 39 Gripen aircraft, as well as the localization of their production in Ukraine from 2033, Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal has said.
"Following the agreement between our president and the Swedish Prime Minister yesterday, we have already worked out the details of our future agreements with the Swedish Ministry of Defense. We agree that 150 E/F class Gripens will be delivered... Yesterday, a corresponding memorandum was signed between one of the Ukrainian companies and SAAB on the future localization of Gripens in Ukraine. We expect that from 2033, Gripen will be significantly localized in Ukraine, its production - from large-scale assembly to the localization of individual parts," Shmyhal said during a joint briefing with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday.
Also, according to him, there were talks about Ukraine receiving the previous C/D class Gripens as soon as possible. "We insist that it be 2026, and we are negotiating with partners about this. And the production of the E/F Gripen will begin a little later," the minister said.