Photos: FMV, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky
The contract was signed by FMV Director General Mikael Granholm and Saab Defence and Security President and CEO Micael Johansson, in the presence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the defense ministers of Sweden, Pål Jonson, and Ukraine, Mykhailo Fedorov.
FMV received the Swedish government’s approval to conclude the agreement with Ukraine. The intergovernmental agreement also covers support services and a comprehensive training package.
This is the result of the announcement between Kyiv and Stockholm on May 28 of this year, when it was announced that Sweden would transfer free of charge to Ukraine 16 used JAS 39C/D Gripen multirole aircraft as part of the 22nd military aid package worth approximately EUR 2.3 billion, and would sell 20 brand-new JAS 39E Gripen aircraft from the 90 billion EUR Ukraine financial support package approved on April 23 of this year by the European Commission. As can be seen, the number of next-generation Gripens has been reduced.
“Together with Sweden, we continue strengthening Ukraine’s combat aviation. Today, our countries signed an agreement for the procurement of 16 Gripen E fighter jets. Importantly, the aircraft will come with a package of related equipment, technical assistance, and support. In addition, under our previous agreements with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, the first 16 Gripen C/D aircraft will be transferred to our Air Force at the beginning of 2027. I thanked Sweden’s Minister for Defense, Pål Jonson, for this support and for the cooperation during our meeting. We discussed in detail the implementation of these steps, as well as broader bilateral cooperation, including preparations for the Drone Deal and our work on anti-ballistic defense. I thank Sweden – all the people and the Government – for the meaningful partnership and for the consistent support since the start of Russia’s invasion. Together, we are working for the security of Ukraine and of all Europe,” wrote Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“This is a major and important step that strengthens Ukraine’s long-term defense capability,” said FMV Director General Mikael Granholm. “With this agreement in place, FMV can continue preparations for the donation of the JAS 39 C/D aircraft included in the government’s support package 22. The goal is to have an agreement in place this autumn to enable delivery of the aircraft in early 2027. This will be an important step in rapidly strengthening Ukraine’s air force and preparing for the introduction of the new Gripen E in Ukraine.”
“I am deeply proud that Sweden and Saab can now enable the provision of Gripen E to Ukraine, bringing a world-class fighter that will transform the Ukrainian Air Force’s capability. This will significantly strengthen Ukraine’s air defence and help ensure the nation can protect its people and safeguard its future,” added Micael Johansson.
Today Sweden and Ukraine signed the first Gripen sales contract: 16 Gripen E fighter aircraft, with UK support. A first step towards Ukraine’s ambition to acquire up to 150 Gripen E/F over time. Swedish defence industry delivers for freedom and security. pic.twitter.com/tb1x0ta6hN
— Försvarsdepartementet (@ForsvarsdepSv) June 30, 2026
The first 16 older Gripen C/D aircraft will come from the inventory of the Swedish Air Force (Svenska flygvapnet), which will gradually retire them (71 units currently remain in service out of the 204 originally procured). Earlier, in May 2024, the Swedish government declared the donation of only two Saab 340B AEW-300 (ASC890) airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft – the first unit was already spotted in the country in March of this year.
Training of Ukrainian pilots and ground crew has already begun and will be expanded this autumn. The Gripens will be armed with AIM-2000 IRIS-T short-range, AIM-120 AMRAAM medium-range, and MBDA Meteor long-range air-to-air missiles.
It is worth recalling that on October 22, 2025, President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the Saab facilities in Linköping, where during a meeting with Ulf Kristersson a Letter of Intent (LoI) was signed on deepening cooperation in the areas of air power and the aviation industry over a 10-15 year horizon, as well as the possibility of Ukraine purchasing between 100 and 150 JAS 39E Gripen aircraft. Additionally, Ukraine had expressed interest in acquiring 100 French Dassault Rafale aircraft.
On September 22, 2024, the then-Ukrainian Minister of Defence Rustem Umerov, in an interview for the Yedyni Novyny channel, stated that the Kyiv government was negotiating the acquisition of Eurofighter Typhoon and JAS 39 Gripen combat aircraft from the West. In September 2025, Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson told BBC News that the government was open to selling Gripens, but after the end of the war with Russia. On September 29, in an interview with BBC, Ukrainian First Deputy Minister of Defence Lieutenant General Ivan Havryliuk confirmed that Kyiv was expecting delivery of the promised aircraft from Sweden.
Photos: Saab Defence and Security
The JAS 39E Gripen had previously been selected by Sweden (60 JAS 39E ordered plus 10 more under option; first three delivered), Brazil (36 JAS 39E/F ordered as F-39E/F with partial local production, of which 8 have been delivered, with plans to procure 8 more under an option for a maximum of 72), Thailand (first 4 of 12 planned ordered), and Colombia (17 ordered). Currently, the Gripen E/F is also the frontrunner in the Philippine tender (alongside the F-16C/D Block 70/72).
Previously, the latest Gripens were unsuccessfully offered in other export markets, including Peru, Canada, Finland, Indonesia, Denmark, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, and Switzerland. Reports have recently emerged that Canada is planning to procure Gripen E aircraft in parallel with the F-35A Lightning II.
Together with Sweden, we continue strengthening Ukraine’s combat aviation. Today, our countries signed an agreement for the procurement of 16 Gripen E fighter jets. Importantly, the aircraft will come with a package of related equipment, technical assistance, and support. In… pic.twitter.com/yqynTWOzYM
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 30, 2026
Sweden has signed a sales contract with Ukraine for 16 Gripen E fighter aircraft, and FMV has signed the enabling contract with Saab. This is a major step for Ukraine’s freedom and Europe’s security. Gripen will strengthen Ukraine’s ability to defend its skies. (1/4) pic.twitter.com/nAgh87bJ0B
— Pål Jonson (@PlJonson) June 30, 2026