Sweden has officially agreed to sell Ukraine between 120 and 150 advanced fourth-generation Saab JAS 39 Gripen E fighter jets. Production of the aircraft has already begun, and the large-scale deal is expected to unfold over the next 10 to 15 years, reports Baltimore Chronicle citing eu-baustoffhandel.de.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson confirmed that both countries signed a memorandum of understanding covering the record-breaking number of jets. He emphasized that this quantity would double Sweden’s largest export agreement to date. “This is the beginning of a long journey, bringing us closer to a major export contract for Saab and for Sweden’s partnership with Ukraine,” Kristersson said.
According to government representatives, Sweden is currently capable of delivering slightly more than ten Gripen C/D fighter jets. The country’s defense minister stated that this agreement opens significant opportunities for Ukraine’s Air Force and marks an important step forward for Sweden’s defense industry.
On October 22, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Sweden and landed at the Linköping Airport, where he was welcomed by Prime Minister Kristersson. The meeting was held at the Saab headquarters in Linköping, focusing on Russia’s ongoing aggression and the strengthening of bilateral defense cooperation.
The Saab JAS 39 Gripen E is a modern multirole fighter designed for missions in the air, on land, and at sea. It is built to operate in limited infrastructure environments — capable of taking off from short runways, temporary airstrips, or even highways. The aircraft is equipped with state-of-the-art electronic warfare systems and the AESA Raven ES-05 radar, allowing effective detection of threats and resistance to enemy air defenses.
Moreover, the Gripen E can carry Western-made Meteor “air-to-air” missiles with a range of over 100 kilometers, giving it a notable advantage over most Russian aircraft.
In 2023, Sweden authorized training for Ukrainian pilots on Gripen fighters, and later, the Swedish parliament endorsed potential aircraft deliveries to Ukraine.
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