- UK welcomes Sweden's leadership in brokering new deal to
supply Ukraine with fighter jets.
- Swedish Gripen aircraft to strengthen Ukraine in
their continued fight against Russia's illegal
invasion.
- With over 30% of each Gripen aircraft built in
Britain, this deal is expected to provide a £500 million boost to
the UK economy, supporting over 50 companies - from Yeovil to
Edinburgh - and over 5000 UK jobs.
Ukraine's defence against Russian aggression will be strengthened
through a major new fighter jet deal, with essential
parts of the aircraft to be built in Britain,
supporting over 5000 UK jobs.
The deal is set to unlock Ukraine's ambitions to build a strong
air force, interoperable with NATO Allies, and will
see 16 Swedish Gripen aircraft urgently
gifted to Ukraine.
Ukraine will also be purchasing 20 new
Gripen aircraft through an EU support loan,
ensuring their future capacity.
The deal will give Ukrainian forces modern, agile and
highly capable multirole air combat platforms to fight back
against Russia's illegal invasion. The aircraft will
significantly strengthen Ukraine's air power and bolster NATO
supply chains and resilience across the Alliance.
The Gripen is a collaboration between the
UK, Sweden and the US. Companies across the UK supply
critical components including the radar and landing gear, with
over 30% of each aircraft manufactured in the UK. At
least 50 British-based companies, from Saab UK in Fareham to
Leonardo UK in Edinburgh, are set to be involved in the deal,
supporting over 5000 UK jobs.
The UK continues to play a leading role in international support
for Ukraine with training for Ukrainian Armed
Forces, expertise sharing and billions of pounds per
year of military equipment support including 120,000 drones for
the country this year. Combined military support from the UK and
Sweden since Russia's illegal full-scale invasion in February
2022 now stands at £11.4 billion.
Prime Minister said:
"This deal shows what British industry can achieve on the world
stage - supporting thousands of jobs from Yeovil to
Edinburgh while helping to deliver the air power Ukraine needs to
defend itself against Russia's illegal invasion.
"By standing with our allies and backing Ukraine, we are securing
real benefits for British workers and businesses. This is our
international partnerships working for Britain."
Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry MP said:
"As the fierce resistance of the Ukrainians continues, and as
Russian aggression grows, the UK will not waver. We will stand
shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and our NATO Allies like
Sweden, bringing the combined power of our industries to bear to
support the fight against Putin's illegal war.
“This deal is both a big boost for Ukraine's air power and a show
of confidence in our world-leading UK defence industry,
supporting thousands of good British jobs here at home. This is
the UK stepping up as one for Ukraine: our government,
our military and our industry.”
The UK and Sweden share a strong defence and security
partnership, built on JEF and NATO membership and a shared
commitment to security in the Baltic Sea region and the High
North. Last summer a squadron of Swedish Gripens deployed to
Poland alongside the Royal Air Force to conduct NATO air
policing.
The UK and Sweden have a strong track record of
industrial collaboration in defence, demonstrated by
Gripen export successes in Colombia and Thailand. Saab is
investing £100 million in its Fareham site in the UK, while BAE
Systems has a long-standing presence in Sweden through
BAE Bofors and BAE Hägglunds - helping drive
the next generation of defence and maritime technology, combining
the best of Swedish and British innovation.
