UK Stands Strong with Ukraine! Starmer Announces €300 Million Military Aid for 16 Gripen Fighter Jets

Outgoing UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently traveled to Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, announcing that London will provide €300 million (approximately NT$10.6 billion) in funding to assist the Ukrainian Air Force in purchasing and establishing a squadron of 16 Swedish 'Gripen E' fighter jets, thereby strengthening Kyiv's future air combat capabilities.

According to Reuters, Starmer stated that the UK will cooperate with Sweden to advance this initiative, helping Ukraine acquire next-generation multirole fighter jets to enhance its air defense and air superiority capabilities. Government bulletins indicate that this substantial funding will support Ukraine in completing the deployment of 16 Gripen E fighter jets and achieving full operational capability by 2029.

In addition to procuring the fighter jets, the aid package includes pilot and maintenance crew training, acquisition of flight simulators, logistics and spare parts supply chains, as well as daily maintenance and ground support—aiming to help Ukraine build a sustainable military logistics system.

The Gripen E fighter jet is developed and manufactured by Swedish defense giant Saab and represents the latest upgrade in the Gripen series. Currently operated by the Swedish Air Force, one of its largest overseas customers is Brazil, a major South American nation. In June this year, Saab signed a procurement contract worth approximately $2.5 billion (about NT$81.2 billion) with the Ukrainian government to deliver 16 brand-new fighter jets to Kyiv.

The UK government noted that another key consideration for providing financial aid is that numerous British defense companies are involved in Saab’s global supply chain. This investment in Ukraine is expected to stimulate domestic industrial development, supporting over 50 UK defense firms and creating approximately 5,000 high-skilled jobs.

Compared to Ukraine’s current fleet of fighter jets—including French Mirage 2000s, American F-16s, and Russian MiG-29s—the newly acquired Gripen E offers low maintenance costs and operational flexibility. It not only helps a war-ravaged nation reduce fiscal burdens but can also take off from简易 runways, making it widely regarded as the most suitable fighter jet for Ukraine’s current battlefield conditions.

Starmer emphasized that this military aid program symbolizes the UK’s unwavering support for Ukraine, which will not change despite future changes in government leadership. London will continue to assist the Ukrainian Air Force in modernizing toward NATO standards.