Ukraine will purchase 16 Gripen E aircraft from Sweden. The fighters are bought with Eurocredit funds and with the support of the United Kingdom. The package also includes equipment, maintenance, and support.
Ukraine and Sweden signed an agreement to purchase 16 Gripen E fighters. Together with the aircraft, Kyiv will also acquire a package of equipment, maintenance, and support. This was announced on Tuesday, June 30, by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on his Telegram channel.
Zelensky noted that the first 16 Gripen C/D aircraft will be delivered to Ukraine as early as the beginning of 2027.
"Also, as part of preliminary agreements with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, the first 16 Gripen C/D fighters will be transferred to our Air Force as early as the beginning of 2027," the president wrote.
The Ukrainian leader also discussed defense cooperation with Swedish Defense Minister Paul Jonsson, including the Drone Deal program and joint work on missile defense systems.
According to Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, the aircraft will be purchased with Eurocredit funds and with the support of the United Kingdom. Deliveries of these aircraft will begin in early 2029.
As Fedorov noted, Gripen can carry Meteor missiles, so they could become one of the key factors in Ukraine's technological advantage. Primarily, they will allow earlier detection of threats, more effective counteraction to enemy aviation, and hitting air targets at long distances.
Recall that in February it was reported that Ukraine was considering using EU financial aid to purchase Swedish Gripen fighters to strengthen its air defense. In October 2025, Ukraine and Sweden signed a letter of intent on the supply of JAS 39 Gripen fighters, and Zelensky then stated the expectation of 150 aircraft, the first of which were to arrive as early as 2026.
In May 2026, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced at a press conference at the Uppsala military base the transfer of Jas 39 Gripen fighters to Ukraine.
