The UK will help fund Gripens for Ukraine

The decision was announced during Keir Starmer’s visit to Kyiv. The funds are also intended to help train the pilots and engineers required to operate the aircraft. The financing is aimed at bringing the aircraft into service by 2029 at the latest. Gripen jets are capable of air-to-air combat, strikes on ground targets, and reconnaissance missions. They have low maintenance requirements and can be operated by small ground crews, making them well-suited to Ukraine’s operational needs.

According to the UK government’s press release, the construction of Gripen aircraft will support 5,000 highly skilled jobs across more than 50 UK-based companies which supply the global Gripen programme.

Starmer vowed that the UK will continue to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression with a wide range of military kit. The Prime Minister has already committed to delivering 150,000 drones and thousands of air defence missiles to Ukraine this year. The allocation of funds for Gripens was also probably one of Starmer’s last decisions regarding Ukraine, as he has already announced his resignation on June 22. The Prime Minister will reportedly arrive at Buckingham Palace on July 20, where he will officially resign in front of King Charles.