Starmer says UK to help fund 16 Gripen fighter jets for Ukraine (updated)

Saab AB

16/07/2026 13:17

Adds details from government announcement throughout

    LONDON, July 16 (Reuters) - 
    British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday pledged €300 million ($345 million) to help equip Ukraine with a squadron of 16 Swedish-made Gripen fighter jets, making one of his final commitments to Kyiv before 
    leaving office
    .
  

    Starmer, speaking during a visit to the Ukrainian capital, said Britain would work with Sweden to deliver the aircraft to help defend Ukraine against Russian attacks.
  

        Britain said the funding would help Ukraine acquire a squadron of the Swedish-made Gripen E fighter jets by 2029.
      

        In June, Swedish defence equipment maker Saab SAABb.ST 
        signed a contract
         to deliver 16 Gripen E fighter aircraft to Ukraine in a deal worth about $2.5 billion.
      

        The package includes pilot and engineer training, simulators, spare parts and other equipment needed to operate the aircraft.
      

        Britain said the investment would support about 5,000 jobs across more than 50 UK-based companies involved in the Gripen programme.
      

        The government said the jets would also support efforts to modernise Ukraine's air force.
      
($1 = 0.8725 euros)

 (Reporting by William James, writing by Sam Tabahriti)
 ((sam.tabahriti@thomsonreuters.com; +44734 2020357;))