On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky paid a visit to the facilities of the Swedish company Saab Defence and Security in Linköping, where he met with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. During the event, a Letter of Intent (LoI) was signed to deepen cooperation in the field of air forces and the aviation industry over the next 10–15 years, as well as to explore the possibility of Ukraine purchasing between 100 and 150 JAS 39E Gripen multirole fighter aircraft.
Photo: Ulf Kristersson via X
“I am proud to have welcomed President Zelenskyy to Sweden and Linköping. Today we have signed an important Letter of Intent, marking a step towards a massive possible export deal regarding Gripen – likely between 100 and 150 fighter jets, to build a new and very strong Ukrainian Air Force. President Zelenskyy also got the chance to see first-hand the impressive capabilities of the Gripen fighter. This will strengthen both Ukraine, Sweden and Europe,” says Mr Kristersson.
Initially, Ukraine sought the transfer of used JAS 39C/D Gripen aircraft from Sweden, which are to be partially phased out in the coming years. The first reports on this matter appeared in February 2023, when Kyiv officially submitted a request, and in May, Stockholm offered pilot training in this regard.
However, in May 2024, the Swedish government announced the donation of only two Saab 340B AEW-300 (ASC890) airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft. In a statement on the military aid package from September 2024, it was declared that (…) a certain number of JAS 39C/D aircraft would be spared from dismantling and could – if the Swedish government so decides – be considered for possible future donation to Ukraine. It was concluded that the introduction of F-16s, followed by Mirages, remains the priority.
On September 22, 2024, then–Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said in an interview with the Yedyni Novyny channel that the government in Kyiv was negotiating the acquisition of Eurofighter Typhoon and JAS 39 Gripen combat aircraft from Western partners.
In September of this year, Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson told BBC News that the government was open to selling Gripens, but only after the war with Russia ends. Meanwhile, on September 29 of this year, in an interview with the BBC, Ukraine’s First Deputy Defense Minister, Lieutenant General Ivan Havryliuk, confirmed that Kyiv expected deliveries of the promised aircraft from Sweden.
Today’s declaration and the signing of the Letter of Intent significantly change the situation. The focus is now on the latest JAS 39E Gripen aircraft, which have only just entered service with the Swedish Air Force (Svenska flygvapnet) — on Monday, October 20, the first unit was officially handed over.
Regarding the financing of a potential future deal, both Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned in their speeches the possibility of using revenues generated from frozen Russian assets held by the European Union.
“An important step in this direction may be taken as soon as tomorrow, when the issue of frozen Russian assets will be raised at the European Council meeting,” said the Swedish Prime Minister.
Zelensky, for his part, said that Ukraine had also considered the American Lockheed Martin F-16 and the French Dassault Rafale. No potential delivery dates for the aircraft were given, as it was deemed too early to discuss them. The Ukrainian president added that Kyiv is open to industrial cooperation with Sweden and Saab in the field of unmanned systems, which Ukraine is developing and employing in combat operations.
“Ukraine has unique experience in air combat and defense that Sweden can benefit from,” the Swedish Prime Minister emphasized.
Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson commented on the agreement:
“Today Sweden takes an important step towards increasing air defence & JAS Gripen cooperation with Ukraine. We are one step closer to seeing Gripen protect Ukraine’s air space. Ukraine has asked for 100-150 Gripen E and we are looking into how this can be financed.”
“Sweden supports, and wants to contribute to a strong and modern Ukrainian Air Force. Ukraine has asked for 100-150 Gripen E and we are looking into how this can be financed.”
“Sweden will continue to support Ukraine in the air domain going forward, both with air defence and the previously announced two ASC890 aircraft.”
JAS 39E Gripen
On January 17, 2013, Sweden ordered a total of 60 single-seat JAS 39E Gripen aircraft (with an option for 10 more added on March 3, 2014). Deliveries were originally scheduled for 2018–2027, but the timetable was not met. Therefore, in 2019, the national defense advisory committee recommended that some of the older aircraft remain in service after 2025, and in 2023 it was decided that certain units would stay operational beyond 2030, alongside the new ones.
However, the first operator turned out to be Brazil. On November 24, 2021, Saab unveiled the first six serially produced JAS 39E Gripen aircraft, intended for Brazil and Sweden – four and two units respectively (the first serial Gripen E). Brazil ordered 36 JAS 39E/F aircraft (designated F-39E/F) with partial local production and plans to purchase an additional eight under an option for up to 72.
The next operator of these aircraft will be Thailand, which has recently ordered (so far) four units out of a total of twelve planned. Recently, the Swedish government and Saab have submitted an offer to sell 12 aircraft to Peru, while neighboring Colombia has announced its intention to purchase 16 aircraft of this type. Currently, the Gripen E/F is also considered a frontrunner in the fighter jet tender in the Philippines (alongside the F-16C/D Block 70/72).
Previously, the newest Gripen variants had been unsuccessfully offered on other foreign markets, including Canada, Finland, Indonesia, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, and Switzerland.
A warm welcome to Sweden, President @ZelenskyyUa 🇸🇪🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/frfoTKqxk9
— Ulf Kristersson (@SwedishPM) October 22, 2025
I am proud to have welcomed President Zelenskyy to Sweden and Linköping.
Today we have signed an important Letter of Intent, marking a step towards a massive possible export deal regarding Gripen – likely between 100 and 150 fighter jets, to build a new and very strong… pic.twitter.com/ObUPKxdxfJ
— Ulf Kristersson (@SwedishPM) October 22, 2025
Today Sweden takes an important step towards increasing air defence & JAS Gripen cooperation with Ukraine. We are one step closer to seeing Gripen protect Ukraine’s air space. Ukraine has asked for 100-150 Gripen E and we are looking into how this can be financed. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/j3hZJvs1dH
— Pål Jonson (@PlJonson) October 22, 2025
Sweden will continue to support Ukraine in the air domain going forward, both with air defence and the previously announced two ASC890 aircraft. (3/3)
— Pål Jonson (@PlJonson) October 22, 2025
Важлива зустріч із Прем’єр-міністром Швеції Ульфом Крістерссоном. Ми дуже цінуємо наші відносини зі Швецією та всі прояви підтримки для нашого народу. І сьогодні одна з ключових тем наших перемовин – посилення оборонних спроможностей України. Розглядаємо літаки JAS 39 Gripen як… pic.twitter.com/SFN2hqJlNw
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 22, 2025
Сьогодні ми відкриваємо, безумовно, нову й дуже змістовну сторінку наших відносин – відносин України та Швеції, та й більше – загалом безпекових відносин у Європі.
Сьогодні є такий перший документ між нашими країнами, який відкриває шлях для отримання Україною серйозного флоту…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 22, 2025
Сьогодні маємо новий пакет енергетичної підтримки від Норвегії, вже третій у цьому році, – близько 150 мільйонів доларів для закупівлі газу взимку. Енергетична підтримка надзвичайно важлива.
Подякував Норвегії за цю допомогу і Премʼєр-міністру Йонасу Гару Стере під час нашої… pic.twitter.com/h4Raw0zZm1
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 22, 2025
