During the signing of a declaration on deepening cooperation between Sweden and Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced important new details about the delivery of Swedish JAS-39 Gripen fighters.
It was confirmed that Ukraine is set to receive 16 used JAS 39 C/D Gripen fighters from Sweden's existing air force inventory as early as early 2027.
Read more: Sweden to Send First Gripen Fighter Jets to Ukraine: What Is Known About Numbers and Aircraft Types
However, Sweden is not simply handing over the 16 aircraft, and has attached one important condition to the transfer: for it to proceed, Ukraine must sign a contract for 20 of the most advanced JAS 39 E/F Gripen variant.
First aircraft deliveries under the new contract are expected to begin in 2030, with the contract valued at €2.5 billion, to be funded from the EU's €90 billion credit line for Ukraine.
At the point of signing a contract for just 20 JAS 39 E/F Gripens, a fair question arises regarding the previously announced plans for 150 such aircraft. It is worth clarifying that 150 JAS 39 E/F Gripens represents an overall long-term goal rather than a single large contract. That goal will be pursued over many years through a series of smaller contracts, likely 20 aircraft each.
Ordering all 150 aircraft at once would not accelerate delivery rates, while placing an enormous financial burden on Ukraine's economy given the cost of such a contract highly undesirable in the country's current fiscal situation.
Alongside the 16 JAS 39 C/D Gripen fighters, Sweden will also transfer munitions. The planned package includes IRIS-T short-range air-to-air missiles, AIM-120 AMRAAM medium-range air-to-air missiles, and most significantly long-range Meteor air-to-air missiles with an engagement range of up to 200 km, which will help push russian glide bomb carriers away from the front line.
Read more: russia Used Rare 9M729 Cruise Missile from Iskander-M1 in Kyiv Strike: Why This Choice Is Unusual
