Ukraine intends to accumulate an preliminary batch of as much as 20 Gripen E/F, with Sweden planning to donate as much as 16 Gripen C/D as early as subsequent 12 months.
Sweden and Ukraine are taking new steps in the direction of the Gripen procurement introduced final 12 months. Following a gathering between Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Could 28, 2026, the 2 international locations introduced that Ukraine would get an preliminary bundle of as much as 36 plane.
Particularly, Ukraine intends to accumulate an preliminary batch of as much as 20 Gripen E/F fighters and Sweden intends to donate as much as 16 Gripen C/D fighters. It’s unclear what number of batches of Gripen E/F will probably be acquired, with the settlement signed final 12 months mentioning between 100 and 150 airframes in complete.
Coaching of Ukrainian pilots and technicians is already underway and can broaden this autumn.
Gripen C/D might be delivered with weapons corresponding to IRIS-T, AMRAAM and the long-range Meteor missile. That is about plane, weapons, abilities and sustainment. (2/8)
— Pål Jonson (@PlJonson) Could 28, 2026
Sweden’s press launch in regards to the announcement says that negotiations are ongoing between Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration and Ukraine, with the aim to conclude an settlement as quickly as potential. Supply of the brand new Gripens is estimated to start earlier than 2030.
The press launch additionally mentions that the donation of the older Gripen C/Ds is conditional on the acquisition of the newer variant. The plane is likely to be delivered to Ukraine as early as subsequent 12 months, says Sweden, along with weapons “which can include IRIS-T missiles, superior medium vary air-to-air missiles (AMRAAM) and long-range METEOR air-to-air missiles.”
I’m grateful to the folks and authorities of Sweden, and personally to @SwedishPM Ulf Kristersson, for supporting Ukraine, for his or her principled stance, and for his or her readiness to deliver a simply peace nearer via actual steps. We proceed and broaden our cooperation. pic.twitter.com/9hprvQODaX
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) Could 28, 2026
The donation additionally consists of the Swedish help meant for coaching on and upkeep of the Gripens and the weapons, with a complete worth of SEK 22.2 billion ($1.4 billion). Coaching of Ukrainian pilots and different personnel is already underway, says Sweden’s Minister of Protection.
The donated Gripen will probably be changed by new Gripens which will probably be acquired by the Swedish Air Pressure. At current, Saab says it “has not signed any contract nor acquired an order referring to this.”
I’m in Sweden right now on a working go to. We’re making ready a significant protection bundle for Ukraine and a powerful step relating to Gripen fighter jets, which will certainly make our fight aviation simpler. Conferences are scheduled right now with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, and… pic.twitter.com/WjwV589PKk
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) Could 28, 2026
The Gripens are along with a bigger help pack for Ukraine, valued at SEK 1.5 billion ($161 million), which incorporates ammunition (corresponding to long-range artillery ammunition), electromagnetic warfare methods, and help for Ukraine’s long-range functionality, together with command and management methods.
Moreover, the 2 international locations introduced a deal for innovation initiatives and business cooperation, valued at SEK 300 million ($32 million), and for help from the Swedish Defence Analysis Company, valued at SEK 100 million ($10.7 million). Lastly, two extra offers cowl multilateral funds and initiatives in help of Ukraine, valued at SEK 1 billion ($107 million), and Help to civil protection, valued at SEK 100 million ($10.7 million).
The 2025 protection cooperation settlement
In a joint press convention held in entrance of a Gripen E plane at Saab’s facility in Linkoping, Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy introduced on Oct. 22, 2025, the mutual signing of a protection cooperation settlement. One a part of the settlement confirms Ukraine’s intent to modernize and broaden its air power with probably between 100 and 150 Saab Gripen multirole fighter plane.
If confirmed, this may characterize Sweden’s largest ever export order. Beforehand, Ukrainian pilots have already take a look at flown Gripen in Sweden way back to 2023.
The Gripen has lengthy been recommended as a powerful possibility for the rebuilding of Ukraine’s air power each throughout and submit battle. Particularly designed to correspond with Swedish doctrine of working from makeshift ahead working areas, the jet has good short-field efficiency and relatively easy upkeep necessities.
Talking on the press convention, Kristersson mentioned: “We absolutely realise it’s an extended highway forward of us, however from right now we’re dedicated to exploring all the chances in offering Ukraine with a considerable amount of Gripen fighters sooner or later.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reaffirmed his ambition to see the jets in service as quickly as potential. “For our military, Gripens are a precedence. It’s about cash, about manoeuvres,” he advised gathered reporters.
