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Zelenskyy Thanks Sweden for 16 Gripen Jets in Historic Defense Pact
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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed his deep gratitude to Sweden for its ongoing support of the Ukrainian people and their defense, marking the occasion as a historic milestone in the cooperation between the two nations.
This partnership has now reached a new level, with Sweden announcing a support package that includes the donation of 16 JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets to strengthen Ukraine’s aerial capabilities.
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“Thank you to Sweden for all the support for Ukraine — for our people and our defense. Sweden is absolutely fundamentally in defense of life, and we appreciate it immensely. This is truly a historic event, a historic day for our cooperation, for our countries,” President Zelenskyy stated.
The Gripen, a fourth-generation multi-role fighter developed by Saab, is designed for versatility, including air defense, interception, and ground strikes. It can reach speeds of roughly 2,400 kilometers per hour and has a combat radius of 800 to 1,500 kilometers.
A key advantage of the aircraft is its ability to take off from short runways and even roads, which requires less ground support compared to other Western fighters.
“Today there is a new support package for Ukraine, and the most important thing in it is the Swedish Gripen fighter jets, which will strengthen our aviation. In total, this year, next year and our further cooperation is the building of a Ukrainian fleet of Swedish Gripens,” the President remarked.
Addressing the ongoing challenges posed by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, President Zelenskyy emphasized that reinforcing air defense is a primary objective.
He identified protection against ballistic missiles as a critical need and stated that Ukraine intends to collaborate with Nordic and Baltic partners through the NB8 format to develop a unified European anti-ballistic defense system. The President also acknowledged Sweden’s principled stance in supporting Ukraine’s integration into the European Union.
“Russia continues to rely on missiles and killing people on the front line much more than on diplomacy. And this needs to be fixed. The key to this is to continue support for Ukrainian air defense, and the most important element today is protection against Russian ballistics and other types of missiles,” President Zelenskyy added.
“Ukraine fights for its life and the European way of life at full strength. We are very grateful to everyone who supports us, everyone who respects us, the Ukrainian people, who helps us bring peace closer. Thank you, Sweden!” the President concluded.
In early February 2026, Ukrainian officials and Swedish leadership held high-level discussions regarding a significant new military aid package, which centered on the potential transfer of advanced Meteor air-to-air missiles.
During these meetings, both parties explored how this technology could enhance Ukraine’s ability to counter Russian combat aircraft and mitigate the threat posed by guided aerial bombs launched from long distances.
Furthermore, the talks addressed broader strategic cooperation, including the possible future supply of Gripen fighter jets and the establishment of joint production initiatives for defense technologies to support Ukraine’s ongoing defense against Russia’s full-scale invasion.
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