Ukraine Moves Toward Gripen Fighter Fleet as Sweden Prepares Jet Donation

Ukraine is moving closer to building a Swedish-backed fighter fleet, as Kyiv and Stockholm advance plans for both donated Gripen C/D aircraft and the future purchase of newer Gripen E/F jets. The move could become one of the most important long-term upgrades to Ukraine’s Air Force since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Sweden is preparing to donate 16 Gripen C/D fighters to Ukraine, while Kyiv also intends to buy an initial batch of up to 20 newer Gripen E/F aircraft. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said the long-term ambition remains far larger, with Ukraine seeking a future fleet that could eventually reach 100 to 150 Gripen aircraft if financing and industrial arrangements allow.

For Ukraine, the Gripen offers two different advantages at the same time. The older C/D aircraft could provide a faster stopgap solution for urgent air defence needs, while the Gripen E/F would support the construction of a more modern fighter fleet later in the decade. Deliveries of donated Gripen C/D aircraft could begin in early 2027, while the newer Gripen E models are expected closer to 2030.

The announcement is significant because Ukraine’s Air Force remains a mixed force of Soviet-era aircraft and Western-supplied fighters. Kyiv has already received or is preparing to operate Western aircraft such as the F-16, but the Gripen brings a different profile. The Swedish fighter was designed to be maintained quickly, operate from dispersed bases, and remain effective even under pressure from a stronger adversary. These features make it especially relevant for Ukraine, where air bases are under constant threat from Russian missiles and drones.

One of the most important elements of the Gripen package could be its weapons. Swedish officials have said Gripen C/D aircraft can be delivered with missiles such as IRIS-T, AMRAAM and the long-range Meteor air-to-air missile. Meteor is particularly important for Ukraine because it could allow Ukrainian pilots to threaten Russian aircraft at much greater distances than many existing air-to-air options.

That matters directly on the battlefield. Russia has relied heavily on guided glide bombs, known as KABs, to strike Ukrainian positions, cities and infrastructure from outside the reach of many Ukrainian air defence systems. These weapons allow Russian aircraft to launch attacks without flying directly over the front line. If Gripen fighters armed with Meteor can push Russian aircraft farther back, they could reduce the space available for Russia to launch these devastating bomb strikes.

The Meteor missile is one of Europe’s most capable long-range air-to-air weapons. Its ramjet-powered design allows it to maintain high speed and energy deep into its flight, giving it a larger engagement envelope than many traditional air-to-air missiles. In practical terms, this could give Ukraine a better chance of challenging Russian bomb carriers before they enter comfortable launch positions.

The deal also has major implications for Sweden and Saab. Gripen has often been presented as a cost-efficient alternative to heavier and more expensive fighters, with lower operating demands and strong performance in dispersed operations. Ukraine’s decision to pursue the aircraft gives Saab a major battlefield-relevant endorsement at a time when demand for European defence systems is rising sharply.

Sweden is already one of Ukraine’s largest supporters, and the latest package adds both immediate and long-term weight to that relationship. In addition to aircraft and weapons, the package includes support for drones, training, sustainment and wider defence cooperation. Ukrainian pilots and technicians are already training on the system, with additional training expected to expand as the programme moves forward.

For Kyiv, the broader message is clear: Ukraine is not only looking for emergency aircraft deliveries, but trying to build a future air force that can survive, adapt and fight in Europe’s most demanding combat environment. The donated Gripen C/D jets would help fill urgent gaps, while the Gripen E/F purchase would shape Ukraine’s airpower for the next generation.

If the plan moves forward, Sweden’s Gripen could become a central pillar of Ukraine’s future fighter force. The aircraft alone will not solve Ukraine’s air defence challenges, but combined with long-range missiles, dispersed operations and sustained Western support, it could make Russian air operations near the front line more difficult and more dangerous.