Ukraine will receive 16 Swedish JAS 39 Gripen C/D fighter jets as part of military aid and will additionally purchase up to 20 aircraft of the newer Gripen E modification. Ukraine’s Defense Ministry disclosed the details while outlining the signed agreement.
The C/D variants belong to an earlier generation of Gripen fighters but have undergone modernization. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson previously said deliveries could begin in early 2027. Deliveries of the more advanced Gripen E are expected after 2030, with Kyiv planning to use €2.5 billion from the European Union’s credit support program to finance the purchase.
The fighter jets will be equipped with long-range Meteor air-to-air missiles. According to Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Pavlo Palisa, the primary significance of the deliveries lies in their ability to counter Russian aircraft deploying guided glide bombs.
“Ukraine will receive the first batch of Swedish JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets armed with long-range Meteor air-to-air missiles… The most important thing is that Gripens carrying Meteor missiles will become the ‘long arm’ of our air force, allowing us to push Russian aircraft carrying glide bombs farther from the front line. This is an invaluable reinforcement both for our aviation and for the protection of infantry,” Palisa wrote on Telegram.
He added that the Gripen was specifically designed for combat operations in environments saturated with air defense systems and is capable of rapidly changing operating airfields while maintaining high mobility and adaptability.
Volodymyr Zelensky, meanwhile, announced a new $2.7 billion Swedish aid package for Ukraine. More than $2 billion, he said, will go toward supporting the fighter jet delivery program, while nearly $400 million will be allocated for drone production.
“Overall, this year, next year, and our future cooperation mean the development of a Ukrainian fleet of Swedish Gripens. This will help us guarantee the security of Ukraine and Ukrainians,” Zelensky said during a press conference with Kristersson.
The Ukrainian president also said Kyiv expects to receive the first aircraft within the next ten months. Ukrainian officials had previously stated plans to acquire 150 Swedish Gripen fighters and 100 French Rafale jets.