Ukraine could buy up to 150 Gripen fighter jets, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said Wednesday after the signing of a letter of intent on stepping up aviation cooperation between the two countries.

Speaking alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at a press conference, Kristersson said the letter of intent would create the conditions for a “very large defence industry deal”.

“Probably somewhere between 100 and 150 fighter jets of the model Gripen E that are now beginning to be made,” he said, adding the deal could have a 10- to 15-year timeline.

Kristersson said the signing of the letter of intent was “the start of a long journey”.

The letter of intent did not provide specific dates and specified that it was of a non-binding nature, but Kristersson said he expected the first planes could be delivered to Ukraine “within three years” if everything went to plan.

“The Gripen is a priority for our army,” Zelensky said.