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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
LONDON—The UK is investing £300 million ($404.3 million) to support Ukraine’s purchase of Saab Gripen fighters.
The funding, announced by Keir Starmer in one of his last acts as UK prime minister, will help Kyiv field a squadron of 16 new-build Gripen E fighters. They are due to begin entering Ukrainian air force service in 2029 after the signing late last month of a $2.54 billion contract, funded with European Union support.
The UK is a major supplier to the Gripen program, providing up to around 30% of each aircraft, the UK Defense Ministry said on June 8. The order for the Gripen Es will also unlock a donation of Gripen C/D fighters equipped with the ramjet-powered Meteor air-to-air missile. Sweden will begin deliveries to Kyiv early next year.
The UK funding will support pilot and engineer training, simulators, spare parts and other equipment needed to get the aircraft to the front line, defense officials said.
Starmer said the investment would “help put advanced Gripen fighter jets in Ukrainian skies” and aid the country in building a modern air force.
Ukraine is currently fighting Russian forces using Soviet-era Sukhoi Su-24s, Su-25s, Su-27s and Mikoyan MiG-29s, while continuing to receive F-16s from Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands. Dassault Aviation Mirage 2000s have also been supplied by France. Analysts have long argued that the Gripen is particularly well suited to Ukraine’s operational environment because of its ability to fly from austere locations and employ weapons such as the Meteor.
Starmer resigned as prime minister on June 22. Andy Burnham, the former mayor of Manchester, is set to replace him on July 20.
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