Ukraine eyes Gripen jet training program for pilots this year — Zelenskyy
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
Ukraine expects its pilots to begin training on Swedish Gripen fighter jets as early as this year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says during a press conference with King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden.
"We are grateful for the new program to strengthen the defense of our airspace, regarding our future modern air fleet of Swedish-made Gripen aircraft. We very much hope, and we will discuss this today with His Majesty, that our pilots will begin training this year," the President says.
Zelenskyy emphasizes that Sweden is one of the five largest donors supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.
"And for this year alone, in its 26th year, Sweden has allocated 4 billion in support. This is a tremendous amount of support for us. We are also grateful for the support of the school meal program for our children in Ukraine," he notes.
Gripen aircraft
The Gripen E (Saab JAS 39E) is a modern multi-role fighter designed to perform missions in the air, on land, and at sea. It is capable of both intercepting targets and delivering high-precision strikes.
Electronic warfare systems and the modern AESA Raven ES-05 radar allow the Gripen E to effectively counter enemy fighters and air defense systems.
The Swedish aircraft is also capable of delivering strikes with Western Meteor air-to-air missiles with a range of over 100 km. This gives it an advantage over most Russian aircraft.
During Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Sweden on October 22, 2025, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced that the parties had signed a declaration of intent to sell 100–150 modern Gripen E series aircraft to Kyiv.
On November 17, 2025, Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron signed a declaration of intent to strengthen Ukraine’s air force and air defense capabilities. The document provides for potential contracts for approximately 100 French Rafale fighter jets for Ukraine.
