Swedish Defense Minister Paul Jonsson announced the training of several Ukrainian pilots on Swedish JAS 39 Gripen fighters in response to the Ukrainian side's request.
Jonson made the corresponding statement in an interview with the TV4 channel.
According to the Swedish minister, several experienced Ukrainian pilots will be able to train on simulators and make test flights on the JAS 39 Gripen. It is about a "familiarization program", he specified.
Although Sweden and Ukraine have yet to make certain decisions for the start of the training program, TV4 notes that it can be considered as the first step on the way to Ukraine receiving these fighters.
At the same time, Jönsson emphasized that the six squadrons of JAS 39 Gripen, which are in service with the Swedish Defense Forces, are needed for their own defense needs, so the transfer of at least one of the aircraft is not possible.
"Currently, there is no question of providing Ukraine with any planes," he added.
The Ukrainian government has repeatedly turned to several countries, including Sweden, for help with fighter jets. Requests were made as early as the summer of 2022, and already in February 2023, Oleksiy Reznikov expressed Ukraine's desire to receive the JAS 39 Gripen.
