Sweden to supply Ukraine with 32 Gripen fighter jets, including new-generation aircraft

Sweden will provide Ukraine with a total of 32 Gripen fighter jets, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara.

According to Russian media, the package will include 16 existing Gripen C/D aircraft delivered as military aid, as well as 16 new-generation Gripen E fighters purchased by Ukraine under a separate contract, Kristersson said.

“Ukraine has now purchased the latest generation of Gripen E fighter jets. We have signed a contract for 16 aircraft. At the same time, we are transferring an equal number of existing fighter jets, so in total we will provide 32 aircraft, although at different times,” he said.

Kristersson said continued support for Ukraine remained “the main priority” for Sweden, adding that Kyiv’s ability to continue fighting depended on ongoing international assistance.

Swedish defence company Saab confirmed that it signed a contract with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) on 30 June for the delivery of 16 Gripen E fighters to Ukraine.

The contract is worth around 24.6 billion Swedish kronor ($2.54 billion), with deliveries of the Gripen E aircraft scheduled for 2029–2030. The order is expected to be formally placed in the third quarter of 2026.

Sweden is also expected to begin transferring Gripen C/D aircraft to Ukraine in early 2027, according to previous announcements.

By Aghakazim Guliyev