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Gripen Delivery to Ukraine Won’t Be Affected by Peace Deal, Sweden Confirms
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Despite a potential deal to end the war in Ukraine, the timeline for the delivery of Saab Gripen-E fighter jets to Kyiv remains unchanged, Sweden’s defense minister, Pål Jonson, told Breaking Defense in a report published on December 10.
Under a deal with Ukraine, Sweden is set to supply 100 to 150 Gripen-E jets, though formal signing and delivery are expected to take at least three years after the contract is signed. Jonson stressed that this long timeline is driven by the industrial production capacity required for such an order.
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However, Jonson also revealed that Sweden is considering sending older Gripen-C and Gripen-D variants to Ukraine to bolster its air capabilities more quickly.
While no final decision has been made, these models could be delivered sooner, providing a short-term solution for Ukraine’s immediate needs. Sweden has been in close dialogue with Ukrainian officials to assess their air defense requirements, especially after Ukraine began integrating F-16s and Mirage fighters, Breaking Defense wrote.
The Gripen-C/D models, however, have faced delays in delivery partly due to NATO’s strategy, which has prioritized the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16s first to avoid overwhelming them with multiple aircraft types. Despite this, Sweden’s decision to explore sending the older models has been welcomed by Ukraine, which has long lobbied for additional fighter jets to counter Russian aggression.
Jonson’s comments signals a growing global interest in the Gripen, with Saab securing significant deals in 2025, including with Thailand and Colombia. Additionally, Saab is in talks with other nations, including Canada and Peru, further expanding the Gripen’s global footprint.
As geopolitical dynamics continue to shift, Sweden remains committed to strengthening its defense partnerships while adapting its strategy for supplying advanced military technology like the Gripen to Ukraine, according to Breaking Defense.
Previously, it was reported that Ukraine would launch pilot and mechanic training for Gripen E-class fighter jets in early 2026, as part of a landmark defense partnership with Sweden, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced during a meeting with the press.
The two countries also plan to begin joint production of aircraft parts and components in Ukraine by 2033, in cooperation with Swedish manufacturer Saab.
