As of: February 28, 2024, 3:05 p.m
By: Nils Hinsberger
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Press
Split
Ukraine needs support against the Russian Air Force.
Sweden is planning to deliver Gripen jets for this purpose.
These put Russian aircraft to shame.
Stockholm - The leader of the Swedish Center Party, Muharrem Demirok, has once again spoken out in favor of supplying fighter jets to Ukraine.
Since nothing stands in the way of Sweden joining NATO after Hungary gave in, the country's attitude towards arms deliveries in the Ukraine war has changed fundamentally, reports the
Kyiv Post
.
“I expect that as early as Tuesday we will receive an invitation from the Prime Minister regarding a comprehensive agreement on the Gripen with Ukraine,” Demirok said.
The Jas-39 Gripen is a Swedish Air Force fighter jet and is far superior to Ukrainian aircraft.
In the fight against Russia, Ukraine has so far relied on old Su-27 and MiG-29 fighters that date back to the Soviet era.
According to the
Kyiv Post,
Ukrainian aircraft are too small and too slow to compete against the Russian Air Force.
That could change with the deliveries from the Swedish Gripen.
Sweden has already made preparations for aircraft deliveries to Ukraine
In May 2023, several Ukrainian pilots traveled to Sweden to prepare for deployment with the fighter aircraft.
At that point, Sweden's government was already preparing to deliver an unspecified number of Gripen jets to Ukraine, the newspaper
Dagens Nyheter
reported .
Since Sweden can now join NATO, nothing stands in the way of a delivery, said Demirok.
Swedish Air Force fighter jet: the Jas 39 Gripen.
© IMAGO / ZUMA Wire
“If there is something we know about Ukraine, it is that air sovereignty means everything to move the front,” Demirok said, according to Swedish newspaper
Aftonbladet
.
Due to its equipment, the Gripen fighter aircraft is superior to the Russian jets in all respects.
Several military aviation analysts have come to this conclusion, the
Kyiv Post
reported .
Sweden's military could become a problem for Russia
Sweden's military is considered to be highly trained and equipped.
With 20,000 soldiers, the army is not particularly large, but its equipment is well coordinated with that of the neighboring countries Norway and Finland.
The countries rehearse the joint defense operation of Scandinavian airspace every two years under the name
Arctic Challenge Exercise (ACE).
Sweden's accession to NATO could mean a bitter setback for Vladimir Putin.
Sweden's military and collusion with its neighboring countries would complicate further Russian imperialist intentions.
For both NATO and Sweden, joining the defense alliance brings a significant security advantage due to the modern military equipment.
“This is a historic day, a day of joy.
“It brings Sweden more security and makes NATO stronger,” said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
(nhi)