Ukraine will not receive 100 Gripen fighters during the war: what prevents it - expert (video)
The agreements between Sweden and Ukraine, which became known on October 22, are actually an attempt to "make room" for Gripen deliveries, which will take place only after the end of the war, said military expert Mykhailo Zhirokhov on the air of NV media. In addition, the problem is that fighters do not exist as of today, so they do not appear on the battlefield. In addition to technological and economic problems with airplanes, there are also political ones, he explained.
Zhirokhov answered the question of a journalist who was interested in what the consequences of the appearance of Gripen aircraft would be for Ukraine. The expert voiced the obstacles that would prevent the acquisition of fighter jets and concluded that, at least as long as the war continues, there will be none.
What are the problems with providing Gripen aircraft: In the end, Zhirokhov confirmed the good quality of Gripen, but still explained that the purchase rests on the limited funds of Ukraine. "In general, it's a good choice, but everything rests on finances. 100, let alone 150 planes, is an unaffordable amount for the Ukrainian budget," he said. In addition, the expert considered the possibility of purchasing aircraft with the funds of partners or with the frozen assets of the Russian Federation.
According to him, these options are not suitable either, because during the war the fighters will not be transferred, and after the war, Russian money will go to the reconstruction of Ukraine, and not to the needs of the army. "This is possible only after the war. When hostilities end or are suspended, only economic and political processes will begin.
Then Europe can direct the funds, in particular the frozen Russian assets, to reconstruction, and not to the purchase of weapons," Zhirokhov concluded. It should be noted that on October 22 Focus reported the possibility of obtaining 100-120 Gripen aircraft, which were agreed upon by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi and the Prime Minister of Sweden. The Swedish media wrote that, previously, as long as we are talking about providing the old version — about 10 units.
Gripen C/D fighters. Meanwhile, the memorandum concerns the latest Gripen E/F. The SAAN company, according to analysts' estimates, can produce about 24 aircraft per year in 2024 (although it is expanding production at the plant in Brazil by 14-15 units). At the same time, there are orders from half a dozen countries that previously concluded relevant contracts. Meanwhile, on the Defense Express portal, the estimated cost of the JAS 39 Gripen E/F was set at $138. 25-145. 8 million.