Ukraine Signs Deal for 16 Gripen E Jets, with 16 More Due in 2027
Updated
Updated · Kyiv Post · Jun 30
Ukraine Signs Deal for 16 Gripen E Jets, with 16 More Due in 2027
3 articles · Updated · Kyiv Post · Jun 30
Summary
16 Gripen E fighters will be purchased from Sweden under an agreement signed in Kyiv, with deliveries set to start in early 2029 as Ukraine pushes to strengthen air defenses.
Meteor-capable Gripens are meant to give Ukraine longer-range air-to-air reach and earlier threat detection, while the package also includes equipment, logistics and technical support.
A parallel Swedish military-aid track will send 16 Gripen C/D jets from early 2027, letting Ukraine train pilots and crews, adapt infrastructure and integrate the platform faster; training in Sweden has already begun.
SEK 24.6 billion, or about $2.5 billion, is the reported value of the Gripen E contract, financed through European credit funds with British backing.
The deal deepens Saab's role in Ukraine's air-force overhaul after Sweden's May pledge of 16 free C/D jets, and Zelensky has said Kyiv could eventually seek up to 150 Gripen Es.
With Gripen E jets arriving after 2029, can Ukraine's current air force survive Russia's evolving standoff attacks until then?
Can Ukraine manage the immense logistical cost of operating a mixed fleet of F-16s, Gripens, and potentially Rafales?
Will the Gripen's Meteor missile force a retreat of Russian bombers and end their devastating glide bomb advantage?
Ukraine’s $12 Billion Gripen E Acquisition: How 16 Swedish Jets Are Reshaping Eastern European Security
Overview
Ukraine has secured a landmark deal to purchase 16 advanced Gripen E fighter jets from Sweden, finalized in June 2026. This marks a major step in modernizing Ukraine’s air force, with ambitions to eventually acquire up to 150 Gripen E/F aircraft by the early 2030s. The agreement includes a comprehensive training program for Ukrainian pilots and technical crews, ensuring a smooth transition to the new fleet. This substantial investment not only strengthens Ukraine’s air capabilities but also highlights a strategic shift towards Western standards and greater resilience in the face of ongoing security challenges.