Ukraine's Air Power Upgrade
Ukraine Boosts Air Defense with Sweden: 16 Gripen E Fighters Procured, C/D Jets Donated
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Key Points
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Donated Gripen C/D jets come from Sweden’s active inventory (not reserves), amounting to about one-sixth of Sweden’s roughly 94 operational C/D fighters, and are delivered ready for frontline use with NATO-standard weapons, Link 16 data links, and Western IFF.
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The donated C/Ds are part of Sweden’s 22nd military support package valued at SEK 25.2 billion, with deliveries starting in early 2027.
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Saab’s contract for 16 Gripen E fighters is valued at about SEK 24.6 billion, with deliveries scheduled for 2029 and 2030, and includes spare parts and related equipment; Saab’s leadership highlights the Gripen E’s capability to transform Ukraine’s air defense.
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The Gripen E procurement is to be financed via an EU loan with UK support, and Ukrainian pilots and technicians are already training in Sweden to accelerate integration.
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Beyond the initial deals, Ukraine and Sweden discussed broader cooperation including a Drone Deal, strengthening European anti-ballistic missile capabilities, and a potential expansion to up to 20 Gripen E/F fighters under a future framework.
Ukraine and Sweden signed two landmark agreements on June 30, 2026, securing 16 new-build Gripen E fighter jets for Ukraine in a deal worth SEK 24.6 billion (about $2.54 billion), according to Reuters. On top of that, Sweden will donate 16 older Gripen C/D jets from its active fleet, with deliveries starting in early 2027.
President Zelensky called the deal "the final piece of the puzzle for Ukrainian air superiority." The agreements mark a major shift — from emergency aid to long-term, high-end military procurement — and position Ukraine as a serious air power well into the 2030s, Kyiv Independent reported.
Sweden Donates Active-Fleet Jets, Not Surplus
The 16 Gripen C/D jets Sweden is donating come straight from its active inventory — not mothballed reserves. Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson confirmed the jets represent "about one-sixth of our operational fleet" of roughly 94 C/D fighters, according to Euromaidan Press. That is a significant sacrifice for Sweden's own readiness.
The donation is part of Sweden's 22nd military support package, valued at SEK 25.2 billion. Each jet arrives ready for frontline combat, equipped with NATO-standard weapons, Link 16 data links, and Western IFF (the transponder system that tells friendly aircraft apart from enemies). Deliveries begin in early 2027, Euromaidan Press reported.
Saab's $2.54 Billion Contract for Next-Gen Gripen E
Swedish manufacturer Saab signed a separate contract worth SEK 24.6 billion for 16 Gripen E fighters, Reuters reported. The deal covers the aircraft themselves, spare parts, logistics, and technical support. Deliveries are scheduled across 2029 and 2030.
Saab CEO Micael Johansson highlighted the Gripen E's built-in electronic warfare suite — technology designed to jam advanced Russian radar systems like the S-400. The contract also includes an option for up to four additional F-model jets, bringing the potential total to 20 aircraft, according to Turdef.
EU Loans and UK Backing Fund the Purchase
Ukraine is not paying out of pocket. The Gripen E procurement is being financed through an EU loan backed by the United Kingdom, according to Kyiv Independent. The EU and UK finalized the credit guarantee framework on June 15, 2026 — just two weeks before the signing ceremony in Stockholm.
About 40 Ukrainian pilots and 150 technicians are already training in Sweden under a program called "Centurion." The Gripen was specifically chosen for its STOL capability — meaning it can take off and land on short stretches of road or damaged runways, a key advantage in a war zone, per Yahoo Finance.
Drone Deals and Missile Defense Round Out the Partnership
The fighter agreements were not the only topics discussed. Zelensky and Sweden's defense leadership also talked about a separate Drone Deal and broader cooperation on European anti-ballistic missile capabilities, Euromaidan Press reported. Ukraine is being woven into Nordic defense infrastructure even before any formal NATO membership.
Russia called the deal a "provocative escalation" and warned that Swedish-made jets would be "legitimate targets" once they enter Ukrainian airspace. Military analysts at RUSI argue the Gripen E's EW suite fills a gap the F-16 cannot — giving Ukraine a dedicated aircraft for penetrating Russian air defenses, rather than just adding numbers to its fleet.
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