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Ukraine Picks Swedish Gripen Fighters as Top Choice—Zelenskyy Explains Why
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Swedish-made JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets have become a key priority for Ukraine’s Air Force, with the first deliveries expected as early as next year.
Speaking to journalists in Sweden, Zelenskyy described the signing of the declaration with Stockholm as “the first document that opens the way for Ukraine to receive a very serious fleet of Gripen combat aircraft.”
He called the fighters “powerful aviation platforms” capable of performing a wide range of missions.
The Ukrainian president noted that Kyiv and Stockholm are preparing to expand the framework agreement with detailed terms.
“We must do everything possible to see the results of this memorandum next year,” Zelenskyy said, indicating that the first aircraft could be transferred in 2026. He also confirmed that Ukrainian pilots are already being trained to operate Gripen jets.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said production of the new Gripen generation that Ukraine plans to purchase is just beginning.
“We are talking about roughly three years before we can start deliveries. And we cannot deliver all 150 aircraft in one batch. Deliveries will be possible over the next three years,” Kristersson stated.
Explaining Ukraine’s choice of the Gripen platform, Zelenskyy said the country’s future air fleet would be based on three systems—Gripen, F-16, and Rafale. “I do not want to disclose all details of our steps, but for our army, Gripen is a priority. That is why we chose them. It’s about means, maneuver, and how they are used,” he said.
Zelenskyy added that Gripen fighters rank among the best aircraft in the world. The deal marks a new phase in Ukraine–Sweden defense cooperation, coming as Kyiv seeks to modernize its Air Force with Western-made platforms alongside the recently approved F-16s.
Earlier, Sweden announced that its latest $836 million aid package to Ukraine would include Tross-class landing craft—multi-role naval vessels capable of transporting troops and supplies, and optionally armed with heavy machine guns or automatic grenade launchers.
