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War in Ukraine

Ukraine and Sweden Expect Gripen Fighter Jet Deal “Within Months”

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Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk
Cyril Barabaltchouk
News Writer
Two Saab JAS 39 Gripen combat aircraft of the Hungarian Air Force flying over the official St. Stephen’s Day ceremony presides over the official St. Stephen’s Day ceremony outside the Hungarian Parliament in Budapest, Hungary. (Source: Getty Images)
Two Saab JAS 39 Gripen combat aircraft of the Hungarian Air Force flying over the official St. Stephen’s Day ceremony presides over the official St. Stephen’s Day ceremony outside the Hungarian Parliament in Budapest, Hungary. (Source: Getty Images)

Ukraine and Sweden could finalize a deal for the purchase of Saab-made Gripen fighter jets within months, Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced during a visit to Stockholm, Reuters reported on May 7.

Following a letter of intent signed last year that could see Sweden supply up to 150 Gripen jets, Fedorov stated that previous questions regarding funding have been resolved.

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“We have our plan how to finance it,” Fedorov said during a joint press conference. “I think in a few months it will be good news for your country, for our country and bad news for Russians.”

While new aircraft deliveries are estimated to be three years away from the signing of any contract—positioning them as a priority for Ukraine’s post-war fleet—Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson confirmed that parallel negotiations to loan, sell, or gift older Gripen models for faster delivery are “progressing well,” according to Reuters.

Jonson told Reuters that a portion of the 80 billion Swedish crowns ($8.7 billion) allocated for Ukraine aid in the government budget over the next two years could be utilized to finance the procurement. The Gripen, a fourth-generation fighter, is viewed as a cost-effective alternative to Lockheed Martin’s F-35.

“We are also talking to other countries about what they can possibly contribute,” Jonson said. “It could be, for example, training or weapons systems.”

Saab’s CEO recently indicated to Swedish media that the agreement, which would mark Sweden’s largest-ever arms export deal, could be signed this year. The financial pathway for the purchase was cleared further after Hungary reversed its veto on a €90 billion ($105.8 billion) European Union loan to Ukraine, according to Reuters.

The financial foundation for the Gripen acquisition was established earlier this year following the approval of a massive European Union support package. The European Parliament had previously passed legislative measures providing Ukraine with a €90 billion ($97 billion) loan for 2026 and 2027 to address Ukraine’s urgent wartime financing needs.

Following an EU defense ministers’ gathering at the time, Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson confirmed that Kyiv intended to allocate a portion of those funds specifically to finance the Gripen purchase and strengthen its air defense network. Jonson also noted that Sweden was actively negotiating with other partner nations to secure additional joint funding to support the aircraft deliveries.

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