Sweden will consider sending Gripen jets to Ukraine only after NATO membership

Sweden stated today that it won't contemplate dispatching its JAS 39 Gripen fighter aircraft to Ukraine until the nation gains entry into NATO. Nonetheless, it also expressed its armed forces' intention to explore the potential transfer and will furnish a report on the viability of the transfer in November.

The fresh strategy, which for the first time directly associates Gripen deliveries with alliance admission, was disclosed by Pål Jonson, the defense minister of Sweden, in conjunction with Stockholm's 14th military assistance package for Kyiv, estimated at about $200 million.

Jonson informed the media that, due to "domestic security considerations," Sweden would insist on NATO membership before considering providing Gripens to Ukraine, according to Reuters.

The government reasserted in a press release that "assistance in the form of JAS 39 Gripen would be contingent upon Sweden first attaining NATO membership." Stockholm has not yet disclosed the number of Gripen aircraft that could be potentially provided to Kyiv.

Regarding the assistance package, the forthcoming consignment of weaponry destined for Ukrainian forces encompasses 155mm artillery and CV90 munitions. Satellite communication gear will also be furnished. Jonson stated in a social media post that the "cumulative value of Sweden's military aid to Ukraine" has now reached SEK 22 billion ($2 billion).

Despite neighboring Finland's NATO accession in April, Sweden's membership request has been postponed by Turkey and Hungary. However, Ankara has pledged to hold a parliamentary ratification vote on the issue post-October.