Under a new agreement between the governments of Sweden and Ukraine, the transfer of 16 JAS 39C/D Gripen fighter aircraft to the Armed Forces of Ukraine has been stipulated. The first aircraft deliveries are scheduled to commence in early 2027. Simultaneously, an agreement has been reached to purchase up to 22 new Gripen E fighters by 2030.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced during a press conference in Sweden that Ukraine anticipates receiving the first aircraft within the next 10 months and commits to equipping them with an appropriate arsenal, specifically for defense against Russian-made guided aerial bombs. Overall, Ukraine plans to procure 150 Gripen aircraft, for which financing is intended to be secured through a €90 billion European Union loan. Swedish Defense Minister Pol Jonson stated at the GLOBSEC forum in Prague that Ukraine is entitled to NATO membership, given its combat experience and rapid development of military technologies, which could significantly strengthen the Alliance despite objections from certain states.
Furthermore, on May 20, during an official visit to Sweden, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha met with his Swedish counterpart, Maria Malmer-Stenergard, in the city of Kristianstad. They addressed issues of defense cooperation, sanctions against the Russian Federation, and Ukraine’s European integration.
