Ukraine has reached an agreement with Sweden to procure 16 Saab Gripen E multirole fighter jets, while the first batch of Gripen C/D aircraft is scheduled to enter service with the Ukrainian Air Force in early 2027.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed the agreement following a meeting with Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson. According to the president, the package extends beyond the aircraft themselves, including the necessary support equipment, technical assistance, and logistical backing required to operate and sustain the fighters.
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Volodymyr Zelenskyy also confirmed that, under previously reached arrangements with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Ukraine will receive the first 16 Gripen C/D fighters at the beginning of 2027. The president said the meeting focused on implementing these commitments, expanding bilateral defense cooperation, preparing a joint drone initiative, and strengthening Ukraine's anti-ballistic missile defense capabilities.
The Gripen E represents the latest evolution of Saab's lightweight multirole fighter, featuring improved radar, electronic warfare systems, and greater payload capacity compared with earlier variants. The arrival of both Gripen C/D and Gripen E aircraft would significantly expand the Ukrainian Air Force's operational flexibility while introducing a platform designed for rapid turnaround and dispersed operations.
Ukraine's Minister of Defense, Mykhailo Fedorov, said Ukrainian pilots and ground crews are already undergoing training in Sweden to prepare for the introduction of the new aircraft. Early personnel training is expected to shorten the transition period once the fighters are delivered.
According to Fedorov, one of the Gripen's most important advantages is its ability to employ the long-range Meteor air-to-air missile. Combined with the aircraft's advanced sensors and data-link capabilities, the missile would enable Ukrainian pilots to detect and engage hostile aircraft at significantly greater distances, improving air superiority and countering russian aviation more effectively.
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