Sweden’s New Aid Package Gripen Jets and Military Equipment for Ukraine

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Sweden Unveils 17th Military Aid Package for Ukraine  On August 9, the Swedish Ministry of Defense announced its 17th military aid package for Ukraine, valued at approximately 4.6 billion Swedish kronor, or $445 million. This latest package marks a shift in focus, emphasizing new military equipment to bolster Ukraine’s defenses.  ► Subscribe to Headlinecast for the latest video updates. It's free! - https://www.youtube.com/@Headline-Cast  ► More Videos -  https://youtube.com/@Headline-Cast?sub_confirmation=1  ►Visit our Website  -  https://www.headlinecast.com  Follow US on: ► Website      -  https://headlinecast.com ► Facebook   -  https://facebook.com/headlinecast ► X                  -  https://x.com/HeadlineCast ► Medium      -  https://medium.com/@HeadlineCast ► Instagram  -  https://instagram.com/headlinecast ► linkedin      -   https://www.linkedin.com/in/headlinecast/  ► READ MORE ABOUT THIS VIDEO -  New Equipment for Ukraine The comprehensive aid package includes a range of critical military supplies:  RB 70 Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS) Anti-Tank Weapons 40mm Ammunition for CV 90 Combat Vehicles Grenade Launchers Anti-Tank Mines Combat Vehicle Camouflage Kits Winter Clothing and Equipment Six Stridsbåt 90 Fast Patrol Boats and Other Marine Gear In addition to these supplies, Sweden is supporting various Ukrainian and multinational programs, including the International Fund for Ukraine (IFU) and Czech ammunition procurement initiatives.  Gripen JAS 39: A Potential Future Asset Sweden is in the midst of upgrading its Gripen JAS 39C/D aircraft to the newer JAS 39E variant. This upgrade has led to the decommissioning of some older models. Currently, Sweden operates just under 100 JAS 39C/D Gripens, which were set to be replaced by the modern JAS 39E. However, the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 prompted Sweden to expand its air force.  While there are no immediate plans to transfer Gripen jets to Ukraine, half of the new aid package will be allocated for purchasing components for JAS 39C/D Gripens. This strategy could preserve some of these older aircraft, potentially making them available for Ukraine in the future.  Future Prospects for Gripen Transfer Sweden plans to maintain a fleet of 120 Gripen aircraft by 2030, divided between 60 JAS 39C/D and 60 JAS 39E variants. Considering factors such as airframe fatigue and training needs, Stockholm might have 20 to 30 Gripen JAS 39C/Ds available for other uses, including a possible transfer to Ukraine.  #Sweden #Ukraine #MilitaryAid #GripenJets #JAS39 #DefenseSupport #InternationalAid #MilitaryEquipment #RB70 #AntiTankWeapons #CombatVehicles #Stridsbåt90 #WinterGear #CamouflageKits #MarineEquipment #IFU #CzechAmmunition #GripenUpgrade #AirDefense #AntiAircraft #GlobalSupport #MilitaryUpdate #DefenseNews #Gripen #SwedishDefense #JAS39C #JAS39D #JAS39E #UkraineConflict #RussianInvasion #MilitaryAssistance #Aviation #UkrainianAirForce #DefenseStrategy #Modernization #MilitaryTech

Transcript

00:00Sweden has just announced its 17th military aid package for Ukraine, valued at around

00:064.6 billion Swedish kronor, or about 445 million dollars.

00:12Unlike previous aid, this package is focused on providing Ukraine with new military equipment.

00:18The Swedish Ministry of Defense's new package includes RB-70 man-portable air defense systems,

00:24anti-tank weapons, 40mm ammunition for CV-90 combat vehicles, grenade launchers, anti-tank

00:31mines, camouflage kits for combat vehicles, winter clothing, 6 Stridsbad 90 fast patrol

00:37boats, and other marine equipment.

00:40It also supports Ukrainian and international programs like the International Fund for Ukraine

00:45and Czech Ammunition Procurement Initiatives.

00:48Sweden is currently upgrading its Gripen JAS-39C-D models to the newer JAS-39E variant.

00:56This has led to the decommissioning of some older aircraft as Sweden transitions to a

01:01fleet of around 100 Gripen JAS-39C-D models, which were originally planned to be phased

01:08out in favor of the JAS-39E.

01:11However, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Sweden decided to expand

01:17its air force.

01:19While there are no immediate plans to transfer Gripen aircraft to Kiev, half of the new aid

01:24package will be used to purchase components for the JAS-39C-D Gripens.

01:30This means that a number of these older aircraft could be spared from dismantling and potentially

01:35made available for Ukraine in the future.

01:38Sweden aims to maintain a fleet of 120 Gripen aircraft by 2030, split between 60 JAS-39C-D

01:47and 60 JAS-39E models.

01:50Considering factors like airframe fatigue and training needs, Stockholm could have 20

01:55to 30 Gripen JAS-39C-Ds available for other uses, including a possible transfer to Ukraine.

02:04The Swedish Ministry of Defense has stated that by acquiring new parts, some JAS-39C-D

02:10jets can be preserved and potentially transferred to Ukraine, pending a government decision.

02:16Defense Minister Pal Johnson has left the door open, indicating that Sweden is maintaining

02:21its flexibility to consider a Gripen transfer in the future.

02:25Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a thank you message on X-slash Twitter, did

02:31not mention the Gripen but appreciated the support, including anti-aircraft systems,

02:36anti-tank weapons, and financial contributions.

02:40Earlier discussions about transferring Gripens were halted due to concerns over complicating

02:45Ukraine's acquisition of F-16 fighters and the logistical challenges it would impose.

02:50However, the possibility of a Gripen transfer is still discussed by analysts and military

02:56strategists.

02:57In July, Ukrainian Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Air Zavkva mentioned that the Ukrainian

03:03President continually raises the topic of Gripen jets with Swedish leaders.

03:08Zavkva expressed confidence that Gripens are as capable as F-16s and Ukraine is moving

03:13in that direction.

03:15This sentiment is supported by Ukraine's Air Force Chief, Brigadier General Serhii

03:20Holopsov, who believes Ukrainian infrastructure is ready for Gripens.

03:25Many experts argue that Gripen might be a better fit for Ukraine's dynamic combat

03:29environment due to its advanced avionics, smaller size, and interoperability with NATO

03:35weapons systems.

03:36Gripen's ability to operate from shorter runways and be maintained by small teams in

03:41harsh conditions could be advantageous for Ukraine, particularly during its severe winters.

03:47Although Norway has successfully operated F-16s in similar conditions, Gripen's design

03:53could offer additional benefits.

03:55In 2023, Sweden began planning to train Ukrainian pilots and maintenance crews for the JAS-39

04:02Gripen, though these plans were not implemented.

04:05They could be revived if a decision to transfer the aircraft is made.

04:10The main obstacle to a Gripen transfer is the need for U.S. approval due to the aircraft's

04:15U.S. components, which are subject to International Traffic and Arms Regulations, ITAR.

04:22Without this approval, the transfer could face similar restrictions as those affecting

04:26storm shadow missiles used by the UK and France.

04:30Thanks for watching.

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