Ukraine has infrastructure for Gripen jets – air commander

The Ukrainian Air Force would like to have Swedish Gripen fighter jets in service.

Serhii Holubtsov, chief of aviation of the Ukrainian Air Force Command, said this in an interview with RFE/RL's Donbas.Realii project, Ukrinform reports.

He said this type of aircraft, along with the F-16, Eurofighter and Rafale, were included in the vision of the development of the Ukrainian Air Force back in 2018.

"The F-16 was offered first. We are currently working on the F-16, building the infrastructure for it. [...] The Gripen is in second place for us. And all requests to Sweden were also granted. This is not the priority process right now, but we are looking at getting these planes. The infrastructure is already suitable for them," he said.

According to Holubtsov, Gripen fighters can use even ordinary roads, do not need any specialized coating, and use all Western weapons.

"Everything that can be used on the F-16 can be used on the Gripen. Therefore, of course, we say on all platforms that we are interested in receiving this aircraft. Moreover, it is also written in the vision and development strategy, which was drafted this year, that we would like to have F-16 and Gripen aircraft in service," he said.

Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom told the foreign ministers of NATO countries in Prague that Sweden could transfer its Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine after the F-16s arrive in Ukraine. However, the Swedish alternative now is to provide Ukraine with two ASC 890 airborne early warning and control aircraft.