Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived at the third leg of his five-nation tour, on a two-day visit to Sweden scheduled for May 17-18.
Before the Prime Minister’s plane landed in Gothenburg on Sunday, Prime Minister Modi’s plane was escorted by Gripen fighter jets as the plane entered Swedish airspace.
The Prime Minister is visiting Sweden at the invitation of Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. This is the third leg of Prime Minister Modi’s five-nation tour. The Prime Minister has already visited the UAE and the Netherlands. He is now in Sweden and will later visit Norway and Italy.
In the UAE too, shortly before his arrival in Abu Dhabi, the BJP shared a video, claiming that its plane was escorted by F-16 fighter jets as it entered UAE airspace. Prime Minister Modi later thanked the UAE leaders for the gesture.
Amit Malviya, head of the BJP’s IT cell, shared a clip of fighter jets escorting PM Modi’s plane, calling it a “reflection of the deep strategic partnership, trust and personal warmth shared between the leadership of India and the UAE”.
What are Gripen fighter planes?
Gripen fighter jets were developed to confront and defeat advanced future threats. It has advanced electronic warfare with spherical coverage and the latest AESA technology for high survivability.
It also has an intuitive HMC with artificial intelligence (AI), making it easier for the pilot to make quick and correct decisions. Its manufacturer Saab said the Gripen E “integrates cutting-edge technologies and the latest systems, sensors, weapons and pods to ensure combat advantage and achieve air superiority in highly contested environments.”
Due to its powerful engine, it has great range and the ability to carry an impressive payload with its ten hard points. “It also has a new AESA radar, an infrared search and track (IRST) system, and highly advanced electronic warfare and communications systems,” Saab said.
Prime Minister Modi’s agenda in Sweden
Prime Minister Modi will address the European Business Leaders Forum alongside EU President Ursula von der Leyen in Sweden, AFP reported. India and Sweden will hold wide-ranging discussions on trade, innovation, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies during Prime Minister Modi’s visit.
Modi last visited Sweden in 2018 to attend the first India-Nordic summit, with officials saying this time there would be an opportunity to review India’s engagement with the EU through Sweden.
Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with his Swedish counterpart Kristersson covering “the entire gamut of bilateral relations”, with a strong focus on enhancing trade and investment ties.
