Ukraine Prepares Down Payment for First Gripen and Rafale Fighter Jets

Ukraine is preparing a down payment for the first Gripen fighter jets from Sweden and Rafale jets from France.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced this during a briefing after a joint meeting with the members of the Cabinet of Ministers and the Verkhovna Rada.

“We need a down payment from the Ukrainian side for the future aviation, specifically for the Gripen and Rafale,” the President emphasized.

He also added that on March 4, this issue was discussed with Ukraine’s Minister of Defence, Mykhailo Fedorov.

Ukraine expects to receive the first of 150 Swedish JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets in 2026, most likely in the C/D version.

On October 22, 2025, Ukraine and Sweden signed a letter of intent, which opened the possibility for a solid contract to supply Swedish fighter jets to Ukraine. Ukraine aims to purchase between 100 and 150 of the latest JAS-39 Gripen E jets.

Additionally, to strengthen Ukraine’s Air Force, plans are in place to order 100 French Rafale fighter jets.