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.

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[–] TWeaK@lemm.ee -1 points 1 year ago (13 children)

I feel like this is more trouble than it's worth. Ukraine doesn't need to be training pilots and ground crew on two completely new aircraft that no one in Ukraine's forces are familiar with.

[–] ForgotAboutDre@lemmy.world 13 points 1 year ago (4 children)

This might be a good decision in peace time. But Ukraine is fighting for existence. They won't care about the most efficient approach. They will care about bring as much capacity to the fight they can. If they can't get more f16s these aircraft are likely to be welcome.

[–] TWeaK@lemm.ee 4 points 1 year ago (3 children)

They will care about bring as much capacity to the fight they can.

That's what I'm referring to, though. Trying to field Grippens as well will diminish their capability of fielding F16s.

We also don't know what Ukraine think of this offer at this stage, right now Sweden is trying to negotiate its way into NATO, they're interested in convincing NATO regardless of what Ukraine wants.

[–] penitentOne@lemmy.world 10 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

We do know what they think about it. They have asked for Gripen on multiple occasions.

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