UK: $343 million investment to finance Sweden's Gripen fighter deal for Ukraine

London, July 16 (KUNA) -- The United Kingdom announced on Thursday its commitment to invest 300 million euros ($343 million) to help deliver advanced Swedish Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine. The British Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement that the announcement came as part of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to Ukraine, where he is scheduled to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to renew British support for Kyiv before Starmer officially leaves office next week. The statement clarified that this funding will help Ukraine operate a squadron of 16 Gripen E fighters by 2029. The package also includes training for pilots and engineers, simulation equipment, spare parts, and other necessary equipment to deploy the aircraft on the front lines. It noted that “British defense companies continue to play a vital role in supporting Ukraine, as the manufacturing process for Gripen jets will support 5,000 high-skilled jobs across more than 50 UK-based companies, which serve as a supplier to the Gripen program.” The statement added that this investment comes as Starmer reaffirms the UK’s continued support for Ukrainian forces in their fight against Russia, through the provision of a wide range of military equipment. This move also complements the British Prime Minister’s commitment to deliver 150,000 drones and thousands of anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine this year. (End) M.R.N./A.B.Kh.