Aerotrend.com

The contract enables the procurement of 16 Gripen E jets by Ukraine, with the first deliveries expected in 2029-2030, and prepares the planned donation of 16 JAS 39 C/D aircraft.

Ukraine and the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (FMV) signed the contract for the procurement of 16 Gripen E fighter jets for the Ukrainian Air Force. To enable the acquisition, the FMV then signed the contract with Saab, worth approximately SEK 24.6 billion (€2.22 billion/$2.5 billion) and to be booked in the third quarter 2026.

The aircraft are being financed through an European Union support loan. In addition to the aircraft, the contract also includes spare parts and associated items and equipment, with the first deliveries scheduled to take place in 2029-2030.

Thank you, Sweden!

Strengthening the defense of our skies — a landmark agreement for 16 Swedish JAS 39 Gripen E fighters, arriving from early 2029.

First, 16 Gripen C/D land in early 2027 as Swedish military aid.

A historic step for our Air Force. https://t.co/3iZRnxFkJz

— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) June 30, 2026

The development follows the announcement by Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in May 2026 that Ukraine would get an initial package of up to 36 Gripen aircraft. These included an initial batch of up to 20 Gripen E/F fighters to be procured from Saab and up to 16 Gripen C/D fighters which Sweden intends to donate.

The new agreement was signed on June 30, 2026, during a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Swedish Minister of Defense Pål Jonson. Jonson highlighted that the UK contributed to making the deal possible, without providing details.

Today Sweden and Ukraine signed the first Gripen sales contract: 16 Gripen E fighter aircraft, with UK support. A first step towards Ukraine’s ambition to acquire up to 150 Gripen E/F over time. Swedish defence industry delivers for freedom and security. pic.twitter.com/tb1x0ta6hN

— Försvarsdepartementet (@ForsvarsdepSv) June 30, 2026

The UK’s Ministry of Defense later released a statement mentioning that essential parts of the aircraft will be built in Britain. In fact, over 50 companies across the UK supply critical components including the radar and landing gear, with over 30% of each aircraft manufactured in the UK, says the statement.

Minister Jonson additionally noted that this agreement also prepares the planned donation of 16 JAS 39 C/D aircraft as part of Sweden’s 22nd military support package, aimed to begin in early 2027. President Zelenskyy confirmed that the training of Ukrainian pilots and technical personnel is already underway in Sweden.

Sweden has signed a sales contract with Ukraine for 16 Gripen E fighter aircraft, and FMV has signed the enabling contract with Saab. This is a major step for Ukraine’s freedom and Europe’s security. Gripen will strengthen Ukraine’s ability to defend its skies. (1/4) pic.twitter.com/nAgh87bJ0B

— Pål Jonson (@PlJonson) June 30, 2026

We are grateful for the United Kingdom’s important contribution to making this possible. Support to Ukraine is strongest when allies and partners act together, combining financing, industry, training and political resolve in defence of freedom and European security. (3/4)

— Pål Jonson (@PlJonson) June 30, 2026

The official statements once again noted that this is only the first step as part of Ukraine’s ambition to buy up to 150 Gripens over time to rearm its air force. The aircraft will also be accompanied by a weapon package “which may consist of IRIS-T missiles, advanced medium range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAM) and long-range METEOR air-to-air missiles.”

Ukraine’s road to Gripen contract

Ukraine has long set eyes on the Gripen as one of its future fighter jets, replacing the Soviet-era aircraft currently in service and joining the F-16s and Mirage 2000s donated by European countries. The Swedish fighter has long been considered a perfect candidate for Ukraine, thanks to its ability to perform dispersed operations from roads and unprepared runways in isolated locations with minimal support.

In 2023, Ukraine requested the permission for pilots and technicians to evaluate operationally the Gripen as one of the measures to strengthen the country’s air defenses until a final decision on the F-16 arrived. Sweden agreed and granted the possibility of orientation training on the Gripen for the Ukrainian personnel, which happened by the end of the summer.

In September 2025, Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister, Lieutenant General Ivan Havryliuk, confirmed that the Gripen was among the platforms expected to reinforce the Ukrainian Air Force. Earlier, Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson said Sweden was open to discussing Gripen sales only after the war ends.

A Gripen E test aircraft. | Source: Saab

Just a month later, in October 2025, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson signed a defense cooperation agreement. One part of the agreement confirmed Ukraine’s intent to modernize and expand its air force with potentially between 100 and 150 Saab Gripen multirole fighter aircraft.

Speaking at the press conference, Kristersson said: “We fully realise it’s a long road ahead of us, but from today we are committed to exploring all the possibilities in providing Ukraine with a large amount of Gripen fighters in the future.” If confirmed, this would represent Sweden’s largest ever export order.

In May 2026, Sweden and Ukraine took new steps towards the Gripen procurement. Following a meeting, Kristersson and Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine would procure an initial package of 36 aircraft.

Specifically, Ukraine intends to acquire an initial batch of up to 20 Gripen E/F fighters and Sweden intends to donate up to 16 Gripen C/D fighters. At that time negotiations were still ongoing between Sweden’s Defense Materiel Administration and Ukraine, but it was already noted that the donation of the older Gripen C/Ds would be conditional on the acquisition of the newer variant.

A Gripen E during testing. | Source: Swedish Armed Forces

The donation also includes the Swedish support intended for training on and maintenance of the Gripens and the weapons, with a total value of SEK 22.2 billion ($1.4 billion). Training of Ukrainian pilots and other personnel is already underway, said Sweden’s Minister of Defense.

The donated Gripen will be replaced by new Gripens which will be acquired by the Swedish Air Force. The aircraft might be delivered to Ukraine as early as next year, together with weapons “which may consist of IRIS-T missiles, advanced medium range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAM) and long-range METEOR air-to-air missiles.”