Ukraine plans to secure an initial batch of up to 20 Gripen E/Fs, while Sweden plans to donate up to 16 Gripen C/Ds as early as next year.
Sweden and Ukraine are taking new steps to procure the Gripen announced last year. Following a meeting between Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on May 28, 2026, the two countries announced that Ukraine would secure an initial package of up to 36 aircraft.
In particular, Ukraine plans to secure up to 20 Gripen E/F fighters for initial deployment, and Sweden plans to donate up to 16 Gripen C/D fighters. It is unclear how many batches of Gripen E/F will be received, as the contract signed last year mentions a total of 100 to 150 airframes.
Training of Ukrainian pilots and technicians is already underway and is scheduled to expand this fall.
Gripen C/D can be delivered with weapons such as IRIS-T, AMRAAM and long-range Meteor missiles. This is about aircraft, weapons, technology and maintenance. (2/8)
— Paul Johnson (@PlJonson) May 28, 2026
A Swedish press release on the announcement said negotiations were ongoing between the Swedish Defense Agency and Ukraine with the aim of concluding an agreement as quickly as possible. Deliveries of the new Gripen are expected to begin before 2030.
The press release also mentions that donations of older Gripen C/Ds are conditional on the purchase of newer variants. Sweden said the aircraft could be delivered to Ukraine as early as next year with weapons “which could consist of IRIS-T missiles, advanced intermediate-range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAM) and long-range METEOR air-to-air missiles.”
I would like to thank the Swedish people and government, and personally @SwedishPM Ulf Kristersson, for Ukraine’s principled stand and readiness to bring a just peace closer through practical action. We continue and expand our cooperation. pic.twitter.com/9hprvQODaX
— Volodymyr Zelensky / Volodymyr Zelensky (@ZelenskyyUa) May 28, 2026
The donation also includes Swedish support for training and maintenance of Gripens and weapons, with a total value of SEK 22.2 billion ($1.4 billion). Sweden’s Defense Minister said training for Ukrainian pilots and other personnel was already underway.
The donated Gripen is scheduled to be replaced by a new Gripen that will be acquired by the Swedish Air Force. Currently, Saab said, “We have not signed any contracts in this regard and have not received any orders.”
I am in Sweden today on a business visit. We are preparing a large defense package for Ukraine and strong measures against Gripen fighters, which will certainly make our combat aviation more effective. A meeting is scheduled with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson today. pic.twitter.com/WjwV589PKk
— Volodymyr Zelensky / Volodymyr Zelensky (@ZelenskyyUa) May 28, 2026
The Gripen adds to a larger support pack for Ukraine worth SEK 1.5 billion ($161 million), which includes support for Ukraine’s long-range capabilities, including munitions (e.g. long-range artillery munitions), electromagnetic warfare systems, and command and control systems.
The two countries also announced SEK 300 million ($32 million) worth of innovation initiatives and industrial cooperation and 100 million SEK ($10.7 million) worth of support contracts for the Swedish Defense Research Agency. Finally, it includes two additional deals: multilateral funding and initiatives for support to Ukraine worth SEK 1 billion (USD 107 million) and civil defense support worth SEK 100 million (USD 10.7 million).
2025 Defense Cooperation Agreement
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the signing of a mutual defense cooperation agreement at a joint press conference held in front of the Gripen E aircraft at the Saab plant in Linkoping on October 22, 2025. One part of the agreement confirms Ukraine’s intention to modernize and expand its air force with potentially 100 to 150 Saab Gripen multirole fighter jets.
If confirmed, this would be Sweden’s largest ever export order. Previously, Ukrainian pilots had already test flown the Gripen in Sweden until 2023.
The Gripen has long been proposed as a powerful option for rebuilding the Ukrainian Air Force during and after the conflict. Designed specifically to align with the Swedish doctrine of operating from temporary forward operating positions, the jet has excellent short-range capabilities and relatively simple maintenance requirements.
“We are fully aware that there is a long way to go, but starting today we are committed to exploring all possibilities to provide Ukraine with a large number of Gripen fighter jets in the future,” Kristersson said at a press conference.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reaffirmed his ambition to have the jet operational as soon as possible. “For our military, the Gripen is a priority. It’s about money and maneuver,” he told gathered reporters.
