Sweden has temporarily suspended its plans to provide Ukraine with Gripen fighter jets, giving priority to the introduction of F-16 aircraft. This was stated by Defense Minister Paul Jonson, according to Reuters.


“The other countries of the coalition have strongly asked us to wait with the Gripen system,” he said, referring to countries that plan to provide Ukraine with American-made F-16s.


The minister also emphasized that the main focus is now on the introduction of the F-16 system.


In 2023, Ukraine began negotiations with Sweden on the possibility of receiving Gripen fighter jets, and the Swedish side later announced that it would assess the potential of sending aircraft manufactured by Saab, a Swedish defense equipment manufacturer.