Ukraine's ambassador to Sweden, Svitlana Zalisjtjuk, confirms talks about establishing a Saab factory in Ukraine. This follows a recently signed letter of intent for Ukraine to purchase up to 150 Jas Gripen aircraft. Ukraine seeks faster deliveries than the three years mentioned.
In an interview with Ekot, Svitlana Zalisjtjuk, Ukraine's ambassador to Sweden, confirms that discussions are underway about establishing a Saab factory in Ukraine. The talks involve Ukraine's president, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, and Saab CEO Micael Johansson. "I can only say that it has been discussed by my president, your prime minister, and Saab's CEO. But it is too early to publicize any of the content of these negotiations," Zalisjtjuk says.
The background is a recently signed letter of intent, possibly in October, for Ukraine to purchase up to 150 Jas Gripen fighter jets from Sweden. When the deal was presented, Micael Johansson opened the door to production in Ukraine: "Yes absolutely, it is something we are looking at, to have a partner who does parts of this in Ukraine."
A first delivery could occur within three years, according to Kristersson. Zalisjtjuk expresses a desire for an earlier timeline: "We would like it to happen sooner, and we are negotiating for other JAS planes to be delivered faster." These developments occur amid Ukraine's need for military support in the ongoing war.
No details on the factory's scope or location are public yet, as negotiations are in an early stage.