Ukraine Gripen deal: Sweden to supply up to 150 fighter jets under new agreement
October 22, 2025
Ukraine has taken a bold step towards rebuilding its air power, signing a letter of intent with Sweden to acquire as many as 150 Saab JAS 39 Gripen E multirole fighters. The announcement, made in Stockholm on 22 October following talks between Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, marks one of the most ambitious defence collaborations of the war so far.
A major boost for Ukraine’s air force
The letter of intent covers 100 – 150 Saab JAS 39 Gripen Es. If the intent translates into a firm order, it would be by far the biggest export contract in history for Sweden.
The signing sets the stage for detailed negotiations on cost and production timelines. As reported in Reuters, Kristersson noted that the first Gripen E/F arrival could be within three years of a firm order being made.
While the LOI covers the in-production E variant, separate discussions continue about the transfer of used Gripen C/Ds from Sweden to the Ukrainian forces. Talk about this transfer has been ongoing for months, but Sweden was urged by allies to hold off on the transfer while Ukraine focused on the introduction of the F-16.
“This agreement opens a new chapter in our cooperation,” Zelenskyy said during the joint press conference. “The Gripen is a proven, modern, and reliable aircraft that would dramatically strengthen our ability to defend our skies.”
Ukraine’s air force is still flying Soviet-era MiG-29s and Su-27s, and even with F-16s from Western partners, its long-term modernisation depends on building a more sustainable, interoperable fleet. The Gripen fits that brief perfectly: robust, adaptable, and relatively easy to maintain in austere conditions.
Why the Gripen fits Ukraine’s needs
Designed by Saab for Sweden’s own dispersed-base operations, the Gripen is known for being able to take off from stretches of highway, refuel quickly, and get back in the air within minutes. Those qualities could prove vital for Ukraine, where airbases are frequent targets for Russian strikes.
The latest E-series version brings an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, extended range, and a powerful electronic warfare suite, putting it almost on par with some 5th-generation systems in terms of situational awareness.
Analysts say a fleet of 150 aircraft would be game-changing. “If realised, this would be the largest single fighter transfer in modern European history,” one defence expert told AGN. “It would effectively make Ukraine the biggest Gripen operator outside Sweden.”
Of course, ambition comes with a hefty price tag. At roughly $80–90 million per aircraft, the total programme could exceed $12 billion once training, support, and weapons integration are included. Financing is expected to involve a mix of Swedish state support, international aid, and possibly European Union or NATO mechanisms.
“We understand who we are fighting against, and Gripen is one of the best (fighters) in the world,” Zelenskyy said, adding that Ukrainian pilots have already begun training on the Swedish planes.
A signal of long-term partnership
For Sweden, the agreement highlights its growing profile as a NATO member and regional defence exporter. For Ukraine, it sends a clear signal: even as it fights day-to-day for survival, it’s also planning for the future of its air force and its place within Europe’s security framework.
If the deal comes to fruition, the Gripen could become a defining symbol of Ukraine’s post-war defence rebuilding: a fast, resilient fighter designed for exactly the kind of fight Ukraine is facing.
Featured image: Swedish Government
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