Sweden, Ukraine Agree on Up to 150 Gripens

Sweden and Ukraine signed a letter of intent and a long-term cooperation agreement in Linkoping that could see Sweden supply Ukraine with 100–150 Saab JAS 39 Gripen E fighters, potentially over the next 10–15 years, to help modernize Ukraine’s air force. The deal was announced by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after visits to Saab and discussions on broader air-defence cooperation including GlobalEye surveillance aircraft, missile systems and other equipment. Ukrainian pilots have already tested the Gripen in Sweden as part of preparations, and Kyiv says the jets are a priority, aiming to begin operating them as early as 2026. Swedish officials said the program could become Sweden’s largest-ever aircraft export order, but both sides stressed the timeframe is long and that contracts and delivery schedules still need to be finalized.