UPPSALA, Sweden — May 28, 2026 : Sweden announced on Thursday that it will donate up to 16 Saab JAS 39 Gripen C/D fighter jets to Ukraine, while Kyiv intends to purchase an initial batch of up to 20 newer Gripen E/F aircraft in a long-term effort to modernize its air force and expand defense cooperation with Stockholm.
The announcement was made during a joint press conference by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Uppland Air Wing in Uppsala, where both leaders outlined plans covering the immediate transfer of fighter aircraft and Ukraine’s future procurement ambitions.
The fighter jet package represents a major addition to Ukraine’s expanding Western-supplied aviation fleet, which already includes U.S.-made F-16s and French Mirage 2000 aircraft. Officials said the Gripen integration is intended to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense capabilities, improve protection of civilian infrastructure, and support longer-range operational requirements.
Donation Of 16 Gripen C/D Aircraft
Under the agreement, Sweden intends to transfer up to 16 JAS 39 Gripen C/D fighter jets from its existing fleet to Ukraine, with deliveries expected to begin by early 2027.
The Swedish government confirmed that funds have already been allocated to replace the donated aircraft within Sweden’s own air force, while dialogue on replenishing the capability will proceed alongside defense planning and industrial coordination.
The transfer of Gripen C/D aircraft forms part of a broader Swedish military assistance package for Ukraine valued at approximately $2.7 billion. The package also includes nearly $400 million allocated for Ukrainian drone production support, according to Swedish officials.
Sweden’s military assistance to Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 has reached approximately SEK 103 billion and has included armored vehicles, artillery systems, air defense equipment, radars, electronic warfare systems, spare parts, and aviation-related support.
Ukraine Plans Purchase Of 20 Gripen E/F Fighters
Alongside the aircraft donation, Ukrainian officials confirmed plans to purchase an initial batch of up to 20 Gripen E/F fighter jets, the latest and more advanced version of the aircraft.
Ukraine intends to finance the acquisition through approximately €2.5 billion (around $2.9 billion) from a European Union-backed Ukraine support loan. Swedish officials stated that negotiations on the final procurement agreement remain ongoing, with deliveries of the Gripen E/F models expected to begin by 2030.
Officials indicated that the acquisition would likely occur in phased batches as negotiations progress and financing arrangements are finalized.
The planned purchase follows a letter of intent signed between Sweden and Ukraine in October 2025 during President Zelenskyy’s visit to Linköping, establishing a framework for Kyiv’s potential acquisition of up to 150 Gripen E/F aircraft.
Although the current proposal focuses on an initial order of 20 jets, Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine continues to seek financing mechanisms that could eventually support procurement of the larger fleet.
Saab Preparing For Future Support
Swedish defense manufacturer Saab confirmed that no formal contracts or purchase orders have been signed at this stage but stated that the company is preparing to support both Ukraine’s potential acquisition and Sweden’s replacement of the donated aircraft.
Saab CEO and President Micael Johansson said the company expects to support Ukraine’s transition to the Gripen platform as well as discussions concerning Sweden’s replacement requirements.
According to Saab, future negotiations between Swedish and Ukrainian authorities will determine the structure of the procurement process, support arrangements, and the timeline for deliveries.
Gripen Designed For Dispersed Operations
The JAS 39 Gripen is regarded as suitable for Ukraine’s operating environment due to its ability to conduct dispersed operations under contested conditions.
Originally designed during the Cold War to function in scenarios involving attacks on established air bases, the aircraft can operate from short runways, temporary airstrips, and sections of civilian highways or roads.
The platform is also designed to be cost-effective and comparatively easier to maintain, requiring a smaller ground support crew than many conventional fighter aircraft. These characteristics reduce dependence on large, fixed air bases that remain vulnerable to missile strikes.
The newer Gripen E/F variant planned for acquisition includes upgraded avionics, a more powerful engine, and an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar intended to improve detection, tracking, and combat effectiveness. Discussions on future support packages, including advanced munitions such as IRIS-T, AMRAAM, and Meteor missiles, are continuing as negotiations advance.
The proposed Gripen transfer and procurement program marks a further expansion of Swedish-Ukrainian defense cooperation, while providing Kyiv with both short-term combat aircraft support and a framework for long-term air force modernization.
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