Stockholm Offers Fighter Jets for Ukraine if Sweden is Allowed to Join NATO
The offer appeared to be the latest move in an ongoing diplomatic effort to persuade Turkey to drop its objection to Sweden joining the military alliance.
The Swedish defense ministry said on Friday it could contribute its Gripen warplanes to a Western coalition that is trying to speed fighter jets to Ukraine — but only after Sweden is allowed into NATO.
The offer, included in a $200 million package of weapons, 155-millimeter caliber ammunition and other defense support for Ukraine, was the latest move in an ongoing diplomatic effort to persuade Turkey to drop its objection to Sweden joining the military alliance.
“Support in the form of JAS-39 Gripen would be conditional on Sweden first becoming a member of NATO,” the Swedish Defense Ministry said in a statement.
That isn’t wrong in general but Gripen are actually a much better fit for Ukraine than F-16. They were designed with being able to start and land on improvised runways and easily maintenance by conscripts out of small bases in mind.
Sweden being not in NATO basically planned with an Ukraine scenario in mind. Being invaded, having their infrastructure attacked and only getting limited support from others not wanting to actively join the fight. So operation under attack from hidden and relocating bases with minimal support was a main design goal for jets.
F-16 is there for the standoff range via long range sensors and appropriate missiles more than operational behavior
Give them both and fit them into different roles
Yeah, the Gripen is amazing! I suppose it’s not the latest thing in the air, but Sweden has kept it updated, and it’s a solid machine. It is pretty much designed perfectly for what Ukraine is facing.