Sweden has asked the Swedish Armed Forces to study and report on the conditions for a planned shipment of JAS 39 Gripen combat planes to Ukraine.
The order to assess the issue of sending spare fighter jets to Ukraine follows Sweden’s announcement of its 14th military aid package, worth $155 million, to the war-torn country.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the military is tasked to analyze the fighter jet’s impact on defense capabilities and the defense industry.
The ministry said the completed training of Ukrainian pilots and ground staff on the Saab-made aircraft will inform the report, which the Swedish military will submit to the government by Nov. 6.
The report will also cover Sweden’s potential participation in an international coalition’s plan to supply Ukraine with F-16 aircraft, the ministry noted.
At a news briefing Friday, Defence Minister Pal Jonson stressed that the aircraft support for Ukraine hinges on Sweden becoming a NATO member first. He cited “domestic security reasons” for insisting on the condition, Reuters reported.
Sweden’s latest round of military aid to Ukraine includes artillery shells, spare parts, infantry equipment, communication equipment and Combat Vehicle 90 ammunition. The upcoming aid would bring Sweden’s total support for Ukraine’s war requirements to $2.01 billion.