Ukraine’s air force could soon be flying one of Europe’s most capable fighter jets, the Swedish Saab JAS 39 Gripen, after Kyiv signed a landmark cooperation deal with Sweden.
If all goes to plan, the agreement could see up to 150 Gripens supplied to Ukraine, with first deliveries expected as early as next year. It would mark the country’s largest acquisition of Western-built warplanes since Russia’s full-scale invasion began.
President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the deal after meeting Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, describing it as a major step towards strengthening Ukraine’s air defences.
“We expect that the future contract will allow us to receive at least 100 of these jets,” Mr Zelensky told Ukrinform. “We clearly understand that this is a lengthy process and the financial foundation required to implement it. We discussed this with the prime minister and Saab’s leadership, and I am grateful to Sweden for its readiness to cooperate.”
The agreement forms part of a broader partnership aimed at developing Ukraine’s air capabilities, and signals Stockholm’s growing role in Europe’s defence support for Kyiv.
Zelensky later wrote on X (formerly Twitter):
“We consider the JAS 39 Gripen aircraft to be one of the most effective elements of this effort and count on the first deliveries of Gripens in 2026.”
Gripen vs. F-16: A Pragmatic Win for Kyiv?
Ukraine has already been promised around 85 U.S.-made F-16 Fighting Falcons from a range of NATO allies, though fewer than 30 have been delivered so far.
The Gripen, however, offers several advantages: it’s simpler to maintain, easier to fly, and cheaper to operate than many Western counterparts, key benefits for an air force operating under wartime conditions.
Major Henrik Björling, a Swedish Air Force display pilot, praised the jet’s handling and agility.
“One of the things that the Gripen is really good at is turn rate, doing things really fast, but at the same time, it’s also super easy to fly,” he said.
That simplicity could help Ukraine train pilots more quickly and keep more aircraft in the sky.
Sweden’s Pride, Europe’s Fighter
Currently flown by six nations, the Gripen stands out as a rare single-nation design in an era when most combat aircraft are multinational projects. The UK even uses it for training at the Empire Test Pilots’ School, a nod to its balanced mix of performance, technology, and reliability.
For Sweden, the deal cements its position as a key defence partner for Ukraine. For Kyiv, it’s another step towards the modern, Western-equipped air force it needs to challenge Russia’s dominance in the skies.
