Sweden Agrees to Sell Gripen E Fighter Jets to Ukraine

Sweden has agreed to sell Ukraine a significant number of modern JAS 39 Gripen E fighter jets.

Prime Minister of Sweden Ulf Kristersson and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a declaration of intent on defense cooperation.

The agreement lays the groundwork for expanding the strategic partnership between the two countries, covering not only the purchase of aircraft but also potential maintenance, pilot training, and the exchange of expertise in defense technologies.

Ukraine plans to acquire between 100 and 150 aircraft, according to Swedish TV channel TV4 Nyheterna.

The JAS 39 Gripen E is the latest version of Sweden’s multi-role fighter jet developed by Saab.

It combines maneuverability, efficiency, and high combat effectiveness. The model features a more powerful engine, extending its flight range, along with an upgraded weapons control system. The aircraft also includes modern radar and advanced electronics, enhancing target detection and engagement capabilities.

The Gripen E can operate from short runways and adapt to a variety of combat conditions, making it particularly valuable for Ukraine’s defense.

The project marks a significant step in modernizing the Ukrainian Air Force and will strengthen Kyiv’s security cooperation with Stockholm.

Getting to Know Gripen

In 2023, it became known that Ukrainian Air Force pilots were testing Swedish JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets.

Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson said at the time that Ukrainian pilots would also undergo simulator training.

“This will give Ukraine a foundation for making future decisions regarding its defense equipment,” the minister said.

The Swedish Armed Forces officially received the first of 60 new JAS 39 Gripen E fighters — ordered in 2013 — only in October 2025.

The main missiles for the Gripen E will be long-range Meteor missiles, capable of hitting targets beyond visual range and used only with specially upgraded C/D variants, along with IRIS-T missiles for short-range combat.