Ukraine to receive first Swedish Gripen fighter jets next year, says Zelenskyy

Ukraine expects to receive its first Swedish Gripen fighter jets next year, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on his Telegram channel.

He said that together with Sweden, Ukraine will significantly expand its combat aviation capabilities.

“This is an ambitious task, and it must be accomplished. Right now, a historic step has been taken — the agreement with Sweden on Gripen fighter jets, and this is a good choice. We are counting on 150 such aircraft for Ukraine, and the first are expected to arrive next year,” Zelensky said.

The president also emphasised that the Gripen jets are a key part of Ukraine’s security guarantees.

“These are Air Forces capable of protecting our skies one hundred percent. And there has never been such a large-scale agreement on combat aviation for Ukraine. It is a historic achievement. We are working to fully implement it,” he added.

By Khagan Isayev