- Category
- Latest news
Ukraine Plans to Buy 100+ Swedish Gripen Jets, May Help Build Them Too
Ukraine’s largest-ever fighter jet procurement—potentially surpassing even Sweden’s own orders—may hinge on a critical demand: domestic manufacturing.
- Authors
![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Ukraine has signed a declaration of intent with Sweden to acquire 100–150 JAS 39 Gripen E/F multirole fighter jets. If finalized, it would be the largest single order ever placed for Gripen aircraft, according to Defense Express on October 22.
The agreement was announced shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Stockholm.
While both leaders confirmed the intent to move forward with Gripen procurement, Defense Express provided the detailed cost breakdown and production outlook.
Details: pricing, production, and timeline
Based on recent deals, Defense Express estimates the per-unit cost of the Gripen E/F to be between $138 million and $146 million—excluding weapons and support equipment.
Using a conservative estimate of $146 million per jet, Ukraine’s 100–150 aircraft order could be worth between $14.6 and $21.9 billion.
By comparison, Sweden has only ordered 60 Gripen E jets for its own air force. A recent sale to Thailand in August 2025 involved four aircraft (three single-seat Gripen E and one two-seat Gripen F) for $553 million—approximately $138.25 million per aircraft.
Meanwhile, Peru is reportedly calculating its potential purchase at $145.8 million per aircraft.
Defense Express notes that these estimates do not include weapons, which are typically contracted separately. The Gripen also includes a large number of US-made components—such as the General Electric F414 engine—whose costs may fluctuate.
Production capacity and delivery outlook
According to Defense Express, Saab’s current facility in Linköping produces about 12 Gripen aircraft per year. At this pace, even Sweden’s domestic order of 60 aircraft will not be completed before 2030. To meet Ukraine’s larger demand, production would need to scale significantly.
Saab has previously proposed localized production for foreign customers. For example, its offer to India included building 96 of 114 aircraft domestically, along with setting up a research and industrial center.
Although India later opted for additional Dassault Rafale jets, a similar model is reportedly being considered for Ukraine.
Due to Saab’s limited manufacturing capacity, Defense Express emphasizes that the only viable way to fulfill Ukraine’s order is through localization of production—building at least part of the aircraft in Ukraine.
Brazil currently assembles Gripens domestically through a partnership with Saab and Embraer.
If agreed, a Ukrainian production line would likely mirror this model and serve as a long-term foundation for both manufacturing and technological collaboration.
Earlier, Sweden announced a $1.3 billion defense package for Ukraine that includes the ASC 890 long‑range radar detection aircraft—Ukraine’s first-ever AWACS‑type system.
The plane will enable early detection of Russian aircraft, missiles, and naval targets at distances of up to 450 km, significantly improving Ukraine’s air defense and coordination with incoming F‑16 fighters.
