Sweden and Ukraine are starting a large-scale defense cooperation aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s air defense, which includes the purchase of Swedish Gripen fighters by Kyiv. This was reported by the press service of President Volodymyr Zelensky during his visit to Sweden.
This is reported by Finway
First Gripens for Ukraine and Defense Declaration
As part of the new defense agreement, the Swedish government is providing the opportunity to purchase up to 20 Gripen E/F fighters. Ukraine plans to allocate 2.5 billion euros from European Union loan funds under the Ukraine Support Loan program for this purchase. After this acquisition is realized, Sweden intends to transfer an additional 16 Gripen C/D fighters as part of bilateral assistance.
“As a first step, the Swedish government is providing the opportunity to purchase up to 20 Gripen E/F fighters, for which Ukraine plans to allocate 2.5 billion euros from the EU loan under the Ukraine Support Loan. Once Ukraine takes the necessary steps to implement this purchase, Sweden also intends to transfer 16 Gripen C/D fighters as part of bilateral assistance,” the statement said.
During the meeting, Volodymyr Zelensky and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson signed a declaration on deepening defense cooperation between the countries.
Military Assistance and Aviation Development Prospects
The President’s Office noted that Sweden has presented the largest military assistance package to date for Ukraine. In addition to Gripen C/D fighters, it includes long-range systems, ammunition, electronic warfare systems, and support for innovative projects.
Back in February, Zelensky reported agreements with international partners regarding the supply of 150 new Swedish Gripen aircraft and 100 French Rafale. He emphasized that these are indeed new aircraft that will significantly enhance the combat capabilities of the Ukrainian air force. The president also reminded that Ukraine has already received F-16 fighters, but they are not new.
On October 22, 2025, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson confirmed the signing of a declaration of intent to transfer from 100 to 150 Gripen E series fighters to Ukraine. According to him, this is just the beginning of a long-term cooperation lasting 10 to 15 years.
In response to journalists’ questions about the possibility of receiving Gripens as early as 2026, Kristersson explained that this is currently not being considered. He clarified that allies decided not to introduce two different types of combat aircraft simultaneously during the war to avoid complicating training and maintenance for personnel.
A feature of the security agreement with Sweden is also the prospect of transferring JAS 39 Gripen aircraft and specialized ASC 890 aircraft to Ukraine, along with appropriate training for Ukrainian specialists.
Ukrainian pilots began testing Swedish Gripen fighters in August 2024.
Since the onset of the full-scale aggression by the Russian Federation, Ukraine has repeatedly appealed to Western partners for the supply of modern F-16 fighters. In 2023, several countries, in coordination with the United States, decided to provide Ukraine with such aircraft. The first F-16s were showcased during the celebration of the Air Force Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on August 4, 2024.
Since the beginning of the large-scale war, Sweden has been providing significant military and humanitarian support to Ukraine. The total amount of assistance provided by Stockholm is estimated at approximately 130 billion Swedish kronor.