Sweden can provide more assistance to Ukraine: what equipment is in question?
Фото: Försvarsmakten
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on Wednesday to discuss a large-scale export agreement in the field of defense cooperation. The talks will take place at a defense enterprise in Sweden, and will focus, in particular, on a possible expansion of military assistance to Ukraine.
Prime Minister Kristersson announced the meeting in an interview with Swedish Radio, The Guardian reports.
Saab is one of the leaders in the European defense industry, producing Gripen fighters, GlobalEye surveillance aircraft, anti-tank systems and other weapons. The talks will take place at one of the company’s key factories. Although Kristersson did not confirm that the Gripen will be discussed, he stressed that the main focus is on air surveillance systems, which have already shown effectiveness in the war against Russia.
Last year, Sweden handed over two radar surveillance aircraft to Ukraine, which strengthened the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ capabilities in the sky. Separately, Ukrainian pilots have already been testing the Gripen in Sweden, preparing for possible deliveries.
Ukraine had previously expressed interest in the Swedish fighters, but the delivery was delayed as Kyiv focused on integrating the American F-16s. No final decisions on the Gripen were made during previous talks at the level of European leaders.
After the talks, Zelensky and Kristersson are scheduled to hold a joint press conference, where they are likely to announce the details of the agreements. Saab declined to comment, stressing that the event is being coordinated by the Swedish government.
As previously reported, Sweden has announced its readiness to expand military assistance to Ukraine and is considering the possibility of transferring Gripen combat aircraft.
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