Official: Sweden Transfers Gripen Fighter Jets To Ukraine
- 28.05.2026, 14:39
Zelensky revealed new details.
Sweden officially transfers 16 Gripen fighters to Ukraine and will sell 22 more new ones.
This is reported by RBC-Ukraine with reference to the statement of Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky at a briefing.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson signed a declaration on deepening defense cooperation at Uppsala Air Base. The previous document - a letter of intent - the parties signed during Zelensky's last visit to Sweden.
How many and what planes Ukraine will receive
Sweden is transferring 16 Gripen C and D series fighters to Ukraine free of charge. In addition, Ukraine will buy 22 new machines of the latest modification.
"We are transferring the Gripen. Ukraine will purchase 22 new Gripen models," Kristersson said.
Negotiations on the new machines are still ongoing and are planned to be completed by 2030.
When Ukraine will receive the first aircraft
According to Kristersson, Gripen deliveries will begin in 2027. Zelensky, for his part, expects to receive the first machines sooner.
"We expect to receive the first Gripen in the next 10 months, we will do our best," the Ukrainian president said.
Why Gripen
The Swedish side explained why it settled on this particular type of aircraft. According to Kristersson, even Soviet aircraft could still provide some assistance with reconnaissance and radar, but in the long term, the Gripen is the best option for protecting Ukrainian skies.
Sweden has previously transferred Hawk anti-aircraft missile systems to Ukraine. Now Gripen was to be the next step in strengthening the air defense of the AFU.
"Air defense is what Ukraine needs most right now. We feel it almost every day," the Swedish prime minister emphasized.
Zelensky said that Ukraine will buy all 150 fighter jets.
"We are counting on this 90 billion (from Europe - ed.). We will do it step by step. We need these airplanes and this is a new page for Ukraine," the Ukrainian president said in a statement.