Perfect arms deal

Sweden can join NATO, Hungary gets Gripen jets

Two winners: Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is delighted about joining NATO and his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orbán about new Gripen fighter jets.(Bild: AP)

What Hungarian media have been speculating about for days is now a done deal. Hungary is to receive four new Swedish Gripen fighter jets, thereby expanding its fleet. To this end, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his Swedish counterpart Ulf Kristersson signed an arms deal in Budapest on Friday. In return, Sweden's accession to NATO will finally be ratified in Hungary.

Two agreements on the modification of the Gripen fighter aircraft contract were signed at a joint press conference. These concern the procurement of new fighter aircraft and the provision of logistical systems and support services. Orbán announced the creation of the country's own air defense system, which would require Swedish assistance. This would involve the purchase of four new fighter planes, which would expand the Gripen fleet of 14 aircraft. When the leasing contract expires in 2026, the previously leased aircraft will pass into Hungarian hands. 

A Gripen fighter jet from the Swedish Air Force(Bild: APA/AFP/Jonathan NACKSTRAND)

Orbán promises ratification of NATO accession
Orbán also emphasized the importance of building trust between Hungary and Sweden and promised that the Hungarian parliament would ratify Sweden's NATO membership on Monday. He also praised the positive trade cooperation between the two countries. Compared to 2010, the volume of trade had doubled. 

Two winners: Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is delighted about joining NATO and his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orbán about new Gripen fighter jets.(Bild: AP)

Kristersson described the talks with his Hungarian counterpart as "constructive". Despite sometimes differing views, both countries agreed "that we should work together more actively if we have common ground", he emphasized. 

Hungarian media described the Swedish Prime Minister's visit to Hungary as a "grand gesture". At the same time, it is claimed that Sweden ultimately gave in to Orbán's "blackmail" in the interest of ratifying its NATO membership.

Ukraine war changed the security situation
In May 2022, the traditionally non-aligned Sweden applied for membership of the Western military alliance together with neighboring Finland in response to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. Finland was able to join NATO in April 2023, while Sweden had to wait further due to the blockades by Turkey and Hungary. Ankara gave the green light for Sweden's accession at the end of January.