Sweden is open to training Ukrainian pilots on Gripen jets if formal request is made

CNN reported the information.

Sweden's Defense Minister, Pal Jonson, stated that Sweden is willing to accommodate the request for instructing Ukrainian pilots on Gripen fighter jets if Ukraine expresses interest. The decision remains pending on both sides, but Sweden is eager to provide support to Ukraine in various ways. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has sought a limited operational evaluation of the Gripen Fighter system, and Sweden is currently working to fulfill the criteria for this request.

However, while Sweden is open to training Ukrainian pilots, Defense Minister Jonson clarified that they will not supply Ukraine with Gripen fighter aircraft at this stage.

“We exclude nothing when it comes to supporting Ukraine,” Jonson reflected. “However, at this stage we will not at be able to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces with Swedish Gripen Fighters.”

The Defense Minister's remarks came after his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv. Additionally, during the G7 summit, US President Joe Biden informed leaders of his support for a joint effort to train Ukrainian pilots on US-made F-16 aircraft. The United Kingdom and the Netherlands have also expressed their intentions to supply Ukraine with F-16 jets.