The contract will allow Ukraine to procure 16 Gripen E jets, with first delivery expected in 2029-2030, while preparing plans to donate 16 JAS 39 C/D aircraft.
Ukraine and the Swedish Defense Materiel Agency (FMV) have signed a contract to procure 16 Gripen E fighter jets for the Ukrainian Air Force. To enable the acquisition, FMV has signed an agreement with Saab worth approximately SEK 24.6 billion (EUR 2.22 billion/USD 2.5 billion), which is expected to be booked in the third quarter of 2026.
The aircraft is being financed through a European Union-backed loan. In addition to the aircraft, the contract also includes spare parts, related items and equipment, with first deliveries scheduled for 2029-2030.
Thanks, Sweden! 🇸🇪🤝🇺🇦
Strengthening sky defenses – a landmark agreement for 16 Swedish JAS 39 Gripen E fighter jets, which will arrive from early 2029.
First, 16 Gripen C/Ds will land in early 2027 with military support from Sweden.
This is a historic step for our Air Force. https://t.co/3iZRnxFkJz
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) June 30, 2026
This development comes after Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced in May 2026 that Ukraine would secure an initial package of up to 36 Gripen aircraft. This 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 to be donated by Sweden.
The new agreement was signed on June 30, 2026, during a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Swedish Defense Minister Pal Johnson. Jonson emphasized the UK’s contribution to getting the deal done, without providing details.
Today, Sweden and Ukraine signed their first Gripen sales contract – 16 Gripen E fighter jets – with support from the UK. This is the first step towards Ukraine’s ambition to acquire up to 150 Gripen E/Fs over time. Swedish defense industry provides freedom and security. pic.twitter.com/tb1x0ta6hN
— Ministry of Defense (@ForsvarsdepSv) June 30, 2026
The British Ministry of Defense later issued a statement noting that key components of the aircraft would be manufactured in the UK. In fact, more than 50 companies across the UK supply key components, including radar and landing gear, and more than 30% of each aircraft is manufactured in the UK, the statement said.
Johnson added that the agreement also prepares a plan to donate 16 JAS 39 C/D aircraft as part of Sweden’s 22nd military support package, which is targeted to begin in early 2027. President Zelenskyy confirmed that training of Ukrainian pilots and technical personnel is already taking place in Sweden.
Sweden signed a contract with Ukraine to sell 16 Gripen E fighter jets, and FMV signed an activation contract with Saab. This is an important step for Ukraine’s freedom and European security. Gripen will strengthen Ukraine’s sky defense capabilities. (1/4) pic.twitter.com/nAgh87bJ0B
— Paul Johnson (@PlJonson) June 30, 2026
We are grateful for the UK’s important contribution to making this possible. Support for Ukraine is strongest when allies and partners act together, combining financing, industry, training and political resolve to defend freedom and European security. (3/4)
— Paul Johnson (@PlJonson) June 30, 2026
The official statement once again noted that this is only the first step as part of Ukraine’s ambitions to purchase up to 150 Gripens over time to rearma its air force. The aircraft also comes with a weapons package that “could consist of IRIS-T missiles, AMRAAM (Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile), and long-range METEOR air-to-air missiles.”
Ukraine’s path to the Gripen deal
Ukraine has long been eyeing 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. Swedish fighter jets have long been seen as perfect candidates for Ukraine thanks to their ability to conduct distributed operations with minimal support over roads and unprepared runways.
In 2023, Ukraine requested permission to allow pilots and technicians to operationally evaluate the Gripen as one of the measures to strengthen the country’s air defenses until a final decision on the F-16 is made. Sweden agreed and allowed the possibility of Gripen orientation training for Ukrainian employees, which took place until the end of the summer.
In September 2025, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Defense Lt. Gen. Ivan Havryliuk confirmed that the Gripen is one of the platforms expected to strengthen the Ukrainian Air Force. Swedish Defense Minister Pal Johnson previously said Sweden was only willing to discuss selling the Gripen after the war is over.
Just one month later, in October 2025, Ukrainian President Zelensky and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson signed a defense cooperation agreement. One part of the agreement confirmed Ukraine’s intention to modernize and expand its air force with potentially between 100 and 150 Saab Gripen multirole fighter jets.
“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. If confirmed, this would be Sweden’s largest ever export order.
In May 2026, Sweden and Ukraine took new steps to procure Gripens. After the meeting, Kristersson and Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine would procure an initial package of 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. At that time, negotiations were still ongoing between the Swedish Defense Materiel Agency and Ukraine, but it was already stated that the donation of older Gripen C/Ds was conditional on the acquisition of new variants.
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. The aircraft is expected to be delivered to Ukraine as early as next year with weapons that “could consist of IRIS-T missiles, advanced intermediate-range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAM), and long-range METEOR air-to-air missiles.”
