Ukraine signs agreement for 20 Gripen jets from Sweden

28 мая 2026

Ukraine has signed a letter of intent to buy 20 Gripen E jets from Sweden. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the plans during a visit to Uppsala.

Sweden will also donate 16 Gripen jets to Ukraine with first deliveries early next year. Kyiv plans to buy up to 150 aircraft in total and will use a 90 billion euro loan from the EU for financing.

Saab CEO Micael Johansson said the company will double production pace in Linköping from 15 to about 30 aircraft per year. He did not rule out future assembly in Ukraine or Canada.

Social Democrats leader Magdalena Andersson voiced support for the decision and called it a good move that Ukraine needs.

Что говорят люди

Initial reactions on X highlight the deal's potential to boost Ukraine's air capabilities, with Swedish officials and users expressing support for the Gripen acquisition and donation. Journalists and analysts provide factual updates noting timelines and financing. Positive sentiments focus on enhanced defense cooperation, while some posts offer neutral context on military advantages.

🇸🇪🇺🇦 The Gripens are coming.

Russia tried to break Ukraine from the skies. Ukraine is now building air power with Swedish fighters: buying up to 20 Gripen E/F for its future air force, while Sweden will donate 16 Gripen C/D.

A new chapter for Ukraine’s air defence. (1/8) pic.twitter.com/HV3eeIZ6sV

— Pål Jonson (@PlJonson) 28 мая 2026 г.

President Zelensky just signed a deal with Swedish defence contractor SAAB to buy 20 brand new JAS Gripen model E/F planes. In addition, the Swedish government will donate an additional 16 model C/D planes, says Swedish Premier Ulf Kristersson.

Slava Ukraini!
🇸🇪🤝🇺🇦

— Paul Lindquist 🇸🇪🇺🇦🇬🇱🇪🇺 (@LindquistPaul) 28 мая 2026 г.

Saab just issued this..."Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced today that Ukraine intends to acquire an initial batch of up to 20 Gripen E/F and that Sweden intends to donate up to 16 Gripen C/D to Ukraine."

— David Pugliese (@davidpugliese) 28 мая 2026 г.

Sweden will provide Ukraine with 16 JAS 39 Gripen C/D fighter jets, with deliveries starting in 2027, Prime Minister of Sweden Ulf Kristersson announced in the signing ceremony held at Uppsala Air Base.

An agreement was also signed to allow Ukraine to purchase up to 20 Gripen… pic.twitter.com/K7wEDKmJ47

— FL360aero (@fl360aero) 28 мая 2026 г.

Gripen will finally fulfill its purpose, shoot down russian jets. If the timeline and procurement plan materialise it will be a new era for Ukraine and Sweden, great timing now that the next generation of European fighter jets is in fluxhttps://t.co/wl7GyDDPy6

— MechDesign.xyz (@MechDesignxyz) 28 мая 2026 г.

Источники

• https://www.svt.se/nyheter/utrikes/saab-gripen-kan-sattas-ihop-i-ukraina-i-framtiden
• https://www.svt.se/nyheter/utrikes/nu-knyts-sverige-annu-narmare-ukrainas-forsvar
• https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/43LGJa/s-ledaren-bra-beslut-om-gripen-till-ukraina