Ukrainian pilots finish test flights on Gripen fighter jets in Sweden

Sweden agreed to allow Ukrainian pilots to test flights on Swedish Gripen fighters, Aftonbladet reports, citing a statement by Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson.

"The orientation training has been completed, and according to the report I received from the Armed Forces, the training went well," the statement said.

Orientation training includes test flights on both aircraft and simulators and briefings for ground personnel.

"As we have said before, we do not rule out sending Gripen to Ukraine, but the experience gained during the training program should now become the deciding factor," Jonson said.

What we know about Gripen fighter jets

The Saab JAS 39 Gripen jet is a fourth-generation multi-role aircraft designed with versatility in mind. It formally belongs to the fighter class, but it was developed as a multi-purpose aircraft capable of performing various tasks.

At the end of May, the Swedish government allowed Ukrainian pilots to undergo training on the JAS 39 Gripen fighter, practice on simulators, and make test flights.

Ukrainian President Zelensky's office reported that the transfer of Swedish Gripen planes to Ukraine needs to be coordinated with other countries, as in the case of the supply of F-16 jets.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson responded that the country needs planes for its own defense because its bid to join NATO has not yet been finalized. However, he did not rule out the supply of fighter jets to Ukraine in the future.

As Rubryka reported, on August 19, representatives of Kyiv and Stockholm signed a declaration of intent about the joint production and maintenance of Swedish CV-90 infantry fighting vehicles.