Ukraine’s Defense Minister Umierov reveals negotiations for Gripen and Eurofighter jets and secured F-16 and Mirage-2000 commitments. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed the negotiations during a national television broadcast, citing progress in talks for new aircraft platforms.
Ukraine talks gripen Eurofighter jets. The defence minister says the German Luftwaffe’s typhoon participated in a multinational air group exercise over Germany in June 2020. USAF/Jessi Monte, US forces in Europe, participated in the German-led large force.
According to Defense Minister Rustem Umierov, Ukraine is actively negotiating with Western allies to acquire Swedish Gripen and Eurofighter jets, in addition to the already committed American F-16s and French Mirage-2000s. The minister made this announcement during a national telethon, as reported by Liga.
“We now have commitments from partners regarding F-16s and Mirages. Consultations are ongoing for Gripen and Eurofighter. This is a very good list of platforms, and we are discussing when they will start arriving.”
The minister expressed hope that Ukraine would soon have results to announce regarding these negotiations, signalling potential progress in the country’s efforts to modernize and diversify its air force.
Eurofighter Typhoon was developed as a multinational European project, with its primary users being the air forces of the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Umierov did not specify which countries Ukraine is in talks with regarding potential Eurofighter supplies.
Debates about the possibility of providing Gripen jets to Ukraine have been ongoing since 2022. In August 2023, Sweden’s Prime Minister stated that the country still needed Gripen jets until it joined NATO. Sweden officially became a member of the Alliance in March 2024.
In July, Sweden’s Foreign Minister revealed that there had been a readiness to transfer Gripen fighters to Ukraine, but Kyiv allegedly declined the offer. The alleged reason was Ukraine’s decision that managing two fighter systems simultaneously – F-16s and Gripens – would be too complex logistically. Ukraine’s Presidential Office, however, claimed that the negotiations for the Swedish fighter jets continued.
Ukraine received its first F-16s from European allies around early August, marking a significant milestone in its efforts to bolster its air defense capabilities.
The Eurofighter, a multi-role combat aircraft developed by a European consortium, and the Swedish-built Gripen, known for its agility and advanced electronic warfare capabilities, could complement the F-16s in Ukraine’s air fleet. Umerov did not specify timelines or quantities for these potential deals, but his remarks reflect the increasing importance of international military support as Ukraine navigates the evolving battlefield dynamics.
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