Ukraine to receive 150 Gripen fighter jets, first deliveries expected in 2026 - Zelenskyy
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine expects to receive 150 Gripen fighter jets, with the first aircraft set to arrive next year, according to the president’s statement.
Zelenskyy said that together with Sweden, Ukraine will significantly expand its combat aviation. He emphasized that this is an ambitious goal that must be achieved.
"This is a historic step, an agreement with Sweden on Gripen fighter jets, and it’s a good choice. We expect 150 such aircraft for Ukraine, and the first should arrive next year," the president wrote.
The head of state added that the Gripen jets for Ukraine are part of the country’s security guarantees, an Air Force capable of protecting Ukrainian skies 100%. Zelenskyy emphasized that this is a historic achievement.
"Such a large-scale agreement on combat aviation for Ukraine has never happened before. A historic achievement. We’re working to fully implement it. Thank you, Sweden," Zelenskyy concluded.
Gripen fighter jets for Ukraine
Earlier, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced that Sweden will sell Ukraine between 120 and 150 modern Gripen fighter jets. He noted that production has already begun and that the agreement will span 10 to 15 years.
Meanwhile, Yuriy Ihnat, head of communications for the Ukrainian Air Force Command, said that Sweden’s Gripen jets are the optimal choice for Ukraine, being superior to US F-35s in several aspects. He stressed that Kyiv has long considered the Swedish aircraft as its preferred option.
Additionally, Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson recently stated that the purchase of Gripen jets for Ukraine could be financed using frozen Russian assets.
For more details about the Gripen jets and their capabilities, see RBC-Ukraine’s full report.
