Ukrainian pilots will be allowed to test fly the Gripen – Sydsvenskan

– This gives Ukraine a decision basis for future decisions to equip its defense. They invest in strengthening their ability in the long term, says Defense Minister Pål Jonsson (M) to TV4.

Jonson says it involves a handful of experienced people who have already received Ukrainian pilot training.

However, some decisions remain before the so-called orientation training takes place. Where, when and how it will be held is secret.

The Minister of Defense and the Minister for Civil Defense Carl-Oskar Bohlin (M) are currently in Ukraine, where they are visiting military units that are already using Swedish defense equipment.

However, it is not relevant to use the Swedish Jas Gripenplane in the war, Pål Jonson repeats once again.

– The planes Sweden has are needed for our own national defense, at the moment it is not relevant to lend any planes to Ukraine, he says.

Ukraine flies Russian fighter jets and invests in other options in the long term. American F16 and European Tornado planes have been mentioned in this context. However, the F16 plane is significantly more expensive than the Jas Gripen and is considered more difficult to learn to fly.