Overview
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the €300 million pledge during his visit to Kyiv on July 16 to help Ukraine field a squadron of 16 Saab Gripen E fighters by 2029.
- The UK funding is earmarked for pilot and engineer training, flight simulators, spare parts and frontline sustainment to get the aircraft into operational service.
- Britain says the commitment will support around 5,000 highly skilled jobs across more than 50 UK-based companies that supply the Gripen programme.
- The pledge complements Saab’s June contract with Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration for 16 Gripen E fighters and builds on prior Sweden–Ukraine cooperation over air capability.
- Beyond the jets, the move forms part of wider UK military aid, reflecting a policy to deepen Ukraine’s modern air capability and signal continued British support during the conflict.