The deal marks the first time the Ukrainian Air Force has added a completely new fighter jet to its arsenal in over 30 years.
Ukraine will likely receive up to 150 JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets from Sweden.
On Wednesday, Sweden and Ukraine signed a letter of intent for the sale of between 100 and 150 JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets.
If the deal goes through, it will mark the first time the Ukrainian Air Force adds a completely new fighter jet to its arsenal in over 30 years.
Swedish Gripen Fighter Jet for Ukraine
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Sweden to seal the deal that could change the future of the Ukrainian Air Force.
“Today we have signed an important Letter of Intent, marking a step towards a massive possible export deal regarding Gripen – likely between 100 and 150 fighter jets, to build a new and very strong Ukrainian Air Force,” Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson said.
The Swedish leader emphasized that the letter of intent aims to deepen air force cooperation between the two countries.
“We greatly value our relations with Sweden and all forms of support for our people. And today, one of the key topics of our negotiations was strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities,” the Ukrainian president stated after his meeting with the Swedish prime minister.
“We consider the JAS 39 Gripen aircraft to be one of the most effective elements of this effort and count on the first deliveries of Gripens already in 2026,” Zelenskyy said.
The Modern Gripen E Heads to Ukraine
If the letter of intent goes forward and becomes an official contract, the Ukrainian Air Force will likely get the “E” version of the JAS 39 Gripen.
The “E” version is the latest variant of the Swedish-made fighter jet. The Swedish Air Force received its first “E” Gripen earlier in October.
Designed and manufactured by SAAB, the JAS 39 Gripen E is an all-weather fighter jet with an operational range of 2,000 miles, the ability to carry over 12,000 lbs. of munitions in 10 external hardpoints, and a maximum speed of Mach 2 (around 1,500 miles per hour).
In addition to this letter of intent, Ukraine is trying to receive second-hand JAS 39 Gripen C/Ds to bolster its air power capabilities as soon as possible.
The JAS 39 Gripen is designed specifically for austere operations. It can take off and land almost anywhere, including highways, enabling operators to disperse their forces and thus increase their survivability. Moreover, it has a very short combat turnaround and can be back in the air after 10 to 20 minutes in the event of sustained operations.
Sweden’s Former Neutrality
Regardless of how the conflict ends, the addition of 150 JAS 39 Gripen Es to the Ukrainian Air Force will increase Kyiv’s deterrence capabilities and make it tougher for Russia to bully it in the years to come.
When the war began, Sweden was a neutral country. Although it often trained with NATO forces, it was not part of the transatlantic alliance. And that was not just a recent policy. Indeed, Sweden had remained neutral for over 200 years, staying out of history-shaping conflicts, such as World War I and World War II. Everything changed with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Understanding the threat that Moscow posed to peace and security in Europe, Sweden took the monumental step to discard its neutrality and join NATO. Finland followed suit.
Since joining NATO, Sweden has been a stalwart supporter of Ukraine. Stockholm has contributed significant security assistance to the embattled country, including CV90 infantry fighting vehicles and Archer 155mm self-propelled artillery.
About the Author: Stavros Atlamazoglou
Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations and a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ). He holds a BA from the Johns Hopkins University and an MA from the Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.
Image: Jason Wells / Shutterstock.com
