Sweden to sell Ukraine up to 20 Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets, may transfer another 16
The Swedish government approved the purchase of up to 20 Gripen E/F combat aircraft for Ukraine through the EU's Ukraine Support Loan mechanism. After that, Sweden also intends to transfer 16 Gripen C/D aircraft as part of bilateral assistance.
This was announced by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at an air base in Uppsala on Thursday, according to Ukrinform's correspondent.
Ulf Kristersson said that Ukraine had clearly identified the Saab JAS 39 Gripen as its priority for long-term air defense and wanted to purchase the newest Gripen E model. He stated that, at the first stage, the agreement between Sweden and Ukraine provided for the purchase of 20 new Gripen E aircraft.
According to Kristersson, negotiations were still ongoing, but the goal was to quickly conclude a full agreement that would allow deliveries to begin in 2030.
Ukraine plans to allocate EUR 2.5 billion from the EU's Ukraine Support Loan mechanism for these Gripen E/F fighters.
Kristersson stated that after the planned procurement is completed, Sweden also intends to transfer 16 Gripen C/D aircraft as part of bilateral assistance.
He also explained that Ukraine had requested further Swedish support through the existing Gripen C/D aircraft currently used by the Swedish armed forces. He noted that this was a proven version that had been in operation since the early 2000s and added that a total of 16 Gripen C/D aircraft would be transferred once the agreement on the procurement of the new Gripen E aircraft was finalized.
According to the Swedish prime minister, after the agreement is signed and Sweden receives all necessary export permits, deliveries of the Gripen C/D fighters are expected to begin in early 2027.
Kristersson emphasized that President Volodymyr Zelensky and he had met with a Ukrainian test pilot who had already flown the Gripen several times, and the pilot had said that the aircraft would be a major game changer for Ukrainian air defense.
He added that Sweden would also provide aircraft maintenance and pilot training and noted that this process had already begun.
As previously reported by Ukrinform, President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Sweden. The key topics of the visit are a major defense aid package for Ukraine and decisions regarding Gripen fighter jets.
In February, President Zelensky stated that Ukraine had agreements with international partners on the supply of 150 Gripen combat aircraft.