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UK Pledges €300 Million to Fund 16 Swedish-Made Gripen Fighter Jets for Ukraine
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The United Kingdom has committed €300 million ($345 million) in joint funding with Sweden to deliver 16 advanced combat aircraft to Ukraine, the Office of the President of Ukraine reported on July 16.
The funding package was announced in Kyiv during a bilateral meeting between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, marking Starmer’s fourth and final official visit to the Ukrainian capital as head of the UK government.
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The state-backed investment is designed to facilitate the procurement of a complete squadron of Swedish-made Saab JAS 39 Gripen E fighter jets, an initiative projected to modernize Ukraine’s long-term air defense capabilities by 2029.
During a joint press conference, the presidential office reported that Starmer confirmed the strategic allocation, stating, “I can announce that the United Kingdom will provide €300 million ($343 million) in support to deliver, in cooperation with Sweden, 16 new advanced aircraft to help defend Ukraine’s skies,” adding that the deal serves as “further proof that the British people stand with you.”
In response to the newly unlocked defense package, President Zelenskyy expressed deep gratitude to the outgoing Prime Minister and the British public for their unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty, as documented by the official presidential portal. Zelenskyy highlighted that over the course of their collaboration, the two leaders had held 46 bilateral meetings and conversations, illustrating the depth of the strategic alliance.
“I want to thank you for all the assistance provided to Ukraine throughout this period,” Zelenskyy said, noting that the aid “includes thousands of defense systems – anti-aircraft missiles, air defense systems, and other weapons.” According to the President, total British financial support has surpassed £11 billion ($14.20 billion), of which approximately £8 billion ($10.30 billion) was directly designated for military hardware, providing “very tangible” and “very helpful” assistance on the frontlines.
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Past the immediate battlefield logistics, the discussions in Kyiv focused on long-term industrial integration and maintaining a consistent political trajectory despite impending leadership transitions in London. The two heads of state reviewed the implementation of the historic Centennial Partnership Agreement, a landmark 100-year security accord signed earlier to symbolize Britain’s enduring belief in Ukrainian independence.
The Ukrainian presidential administration reported that Zelenskyy expressed confidence that the UK’s core foreign policy position would remain unchanged, asserting, “Ukraine has confidence in Britain, and it is important that we have received all the necessary signals that the course of supporting our defense and maintaining our genuinely strong relations with Britain will continue.” Zelenskyy noted that their defense cooperation continues to embody the “British spirit” and national resolve respected worldwide.
The meeting also addressed key operational issues, specifically Ukraine’s ongoing frontline defensive operations and the successful execution of deep, long-range strikes against Russian military assets, which Zelenskyy characterized as a vital diplomatic pressure tool to force Moscow into negotiating a dignified peace. According to the presidential office, Starmer lauded the Ukrainian Armed Forces as one of the most battle-hardened, technologically advanced, and innovative militaries in the world.
He revealed that the United Kingdom is modernizing its own military doctrine and rapidly expanding its domestic drone production capacities by drawing directly on Ukraine’s invaluable tactical and combat-tested experience. To honor Starmer’s personal contributions to Ukraine’s defense, Zelenskyy presented the British Prime Minister with the Order of Freedom, thanking him for their close cooperation and wishing him continued success in his future endeavors.
The €300 million jet acquisition deal with Sweden builds upon a milestone bilateral agreement, when Ukraine and Sweden had finalized a contract for the purchase of 16 Gripen E multirole fighter jets, establishing a long-term modernization program for the Ukrainian Air Force.
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