Overview
- Defence Minister Pal Jonson told Reuters that talks on funding a potential purchase of up to 150 Gripen E jets are moving forward and that Sweden could cover part of the package through military aid.
- Jonson cited export credits, the use of frozen Russian assets and Sweden’s Ukraine aid framework of 40 billion crowns in 2026 and 40 billion in 2027 as options under discussion.
- Sweden has presented the plan to a 16-country “coalition of the willing,” with some partners potentially contributing financing, including those supplying Gripen subcomponents such as General Electric engines and UK-made parts.
- Ukrainian defence chief Denys Shmyhal met Saab leaders in Sweden to discuss technical cooperation and steps to accelerate transfer and integration, after Kyiv signalled hopes for first aircraft next year.
- Saab says it can ramp production and is exploring added capacity alongside its Swedish lines and Brazil assembly, while overall deal costs remain undisclosed as past sales highlight the scale of potential financing needs.