Ukraine and Sweden have signed a declaration aimed at deepening defence cooperation in a move that will see Kyiv receive a new military aid package worth 2.7 billion Euros.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said at a joint press conference yesterday that Ukraine will buy 20 new Gripen fighter jets from Sweden.
The two countries had signed a letter of intent last year, paving the way for Sweden to sell new tab Gripen model E fighter jets to Ukraine. The planes are a priority for Ukraine’s fighter fleet, and the country’s defence minister said earlier that a deal for Gripen E could be signed within months after the European Union approved a 90 billion euro loan for Ukraine.
The leaders agreed to pay particular attention to the development of integrated, multi-layered air defense capabilities. In cooperation with partners, efforts will continue to scale up the production of air defense equipment and to enhance capabilities to counter ballistic threats.
Ukraine and Sweden will strengthen cooperation in the defense-industrial sector and in the supply of defense capabilities, and will also work on a bilateral agreement on security and defense cooperation.