Consider training

Sweden will consider training Ukrainian pilots on Gripen fighter jets if asked, says defense minister

Catherine Nicholls

Sweden will “try to accommodate” instructing Ukrainian pilots on Gripen fighter jets if Ukraine makes the request, Sweden's defense minister told CNN, as Kyiv ramps up pleas to Western allies about the procurement of fighter aircraft.

“We are eager to support Ukraine in all ways possible and if they want their pilots to evaluate Gripen, we will try to accommodate that, although some decision remains on both sides,” Sweden's Defense Minister Pal Jonson said.

He was responding to a question about a Thursday report from Swedish public broadcaster SVT that said Ukrainian pilots will be trained on the jets.

He added that the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has requested a “limited operational evaluation” of the Swedish Gripen Fighter system. “We are currently working to meet the criterias of this request."

While Jonson indicated Sweden is willing to train Ukrainian pilots, he also told CNN that Stockholm will not be supplying Ukraine with Gripen fighter aircraft “at this stage.”

“We exclude nothing when it comes to supporting Ukraine,” Jonson reflected. “However, at this stage we will not at be able to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces with Swedish Gripen Fighters.”

Jonson met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Thursday.

Last week, US President Joe Biden told G7 leaders that the US will support a joint effort to train Ukrainian pilots on US-made F-16 aircraft. The United Kingdom and the Netherlands have both stated that they intend to provide Ukraine with these F-16 jets.