Up to 150 Gripens — Ukraine, Sweden move toward long-term deal on Swedish jets

Editor's note: This item initially said that President Volodymyr Zelensky first traveled to Sweden before heading to Norway. The error has now been corrected.

Sweden and Ukraine on Oct. 22 signed a letter of intent for a future contract on the purchase of up to 150 modern Gripen E fighter jets to bolster the Ukrainian Air Force.

The announcement was made during President Volodymyr Zelensky's official visit to Sweden, the second leg of his European tour following his visit to Norway.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson met Zelensky in the city of Linkoping — home to the defense company Saab, the producer of Gripen jets and other arms — where they signed a letter of intent for long-term defense cooperation between their countries.

While the agreement is not aimed at any immediate new donations, it provides for a major deal between Saab and Ukraine involving 100-150 Gripen E fighter jets, Kristersson clarified.

"This is the start of a long journey of 10-15 years," the Swedish prime minister said in front of a parked Gripen E fighter jet.

Sweden takes step toward supplying Ukraine with Gripen fighter jets

Weeks after Ukraine received its first batch of U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets from European allies and more than a year after President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the start of test trials on Sweden’s prestigious Gripen multipurpose variants, Stockholm signaled that their possible transfer to Ukraine remains on the table. Known to be light and highly maneuverable, the JAS 39 Gripen can conduct offensive and defensive operations. It is equipped to carry various weapons, from Meteor air-to-air mis

The Kyiv IndependentAsami Terajima

The Saab JAS 39 Gripen is a light 4.5-generation fighter jet that can be used for both defensive and offensive tasks. Kyiv and Stockholm have repeatedly discussed the possibility of supplying the aircraft to Ukraine's Air Force, which already operates Western planes, including the Mirage 2000 and F-16.

The Gripen E version, which the Swedish Air Force started using just in October, boasts a more powerful engine, avionics, and radar. Ukraine hopes to make the plane the future backbone of its Air Force.

Zelensky said that Ukraine aims to purchase at least 100 Gripen fighter jets under the forthcoming contract. The Ukrainian side must do everything to ensure it can start using Gripens as early as next year, he added.

"We understand who we are fighting against, and Gripen is one of the best (fighters) in the world," Zelensky said, adding that Ukrainian pilots have already begun training on the Swedish planes.

Kristersson noted that the deal concerns the most modern variant of the fighter jet, meaning its production capacity is still limited. Providing a less optimistic timeline than Zelensky, the prime minister said the first gradual deliveries could "practically" start within the next three years.

Sweden has been a key military supporter of Ukraine since the outbreak of the full-scale invasion in 2022, pledging tanks, artillery, armored vehicles, and reconnaissance planes.

"A strong and capable Ukraine is a key priority for Sweden, and we will continue to make sure Ukraine can fight back against Russia's aggression," Kristersson said earlier on X.

"Looking forward to discussing how to further our cooperation — we have a lot to learn from each other."

Prior to his arrival in Sweden, the Ukrainian president and First Lady Olena Zelenska visited Oslo to meet Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere.

Norway committed to supplying Ukraine with around $150 million for winter gas purchases, as Russia increases its assaults on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, Zelensky said.

"Energy support is extremely important," he commented.

The visits come only a few days after Zelensky's tense meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, during which Trump declined to arm Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles and reportedly pushed Russia's territorial demands.

Trump later suggested pausing hostilities along the current front lines, a proposal supported by Zelensky and other European leaders in a joint statement on Oct. 21.

European partners are flocking to back Kyiv amid uncertainties about Washington's next move. After Trump announced on Oct. 16 a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest in the coming weeks, the U.S. backtracked only a few days later and shelved the meeting for now.

After his trips to Sweden and Norway, Zelensky is expected to visit Brussels on Oct. 23 and subsequently London to join a meeting of the European-led "Coalition of the Willing" scheduled for Oct. 24.

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