Ukraine announced on 28 May its intention to purchase 20 Gripen E/F aircraft as a first step. The plan follows a Letter of Intent on air defence cooperation signed by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on 22 October 2025.
The Swedish Government is enabling the sale of up to one division of Gripen E/F aircraft to Ukraine. Negotiations are ongoing between Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration and Ukraine, with the aim of concluding an agreement as soon as possible.
Delivery of the new Gripen E/F systems is estimated to begin before 2030. Ukraine plans to allocate €2.5 billion from the EU’s Ukraine Support Loan for the intended procurement.
In connection with the sale, Sweden aims to donate up to 16 JAS 39 Gripen C/D aircraft from the Swedish Armed Forces’ existing fleet. The donation would be made provided that Ukraine signs an agreement to purchase Gripen E/F aircraft.
The first Gripen C/D aircraft could be defending Ukraine’s airspace as early as next year. The donation would also include advanced ammunition, which may consist of IRIS-T missiles, advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles and long-range Meteor air-to-air missiles.
Sweden also plans to provide support for training on and maintenance of the systems. Training of Ukrainian pilots and other personnel could begin this year.
The donation of Gripen aircraft and advanced ammunition is valued at SEK 22.2 billion. Sweden said replacement procurement is needed so that the aircraft and ammunition donated to Ukraine can be swiftly replaced.
To replace the donated Gripen C/D aircraft, new modern Gripen E/F aircraft will be procured for the Swedish Air Force. These aircraft will be in addition to those previously ordered.
The wider package is Sweden’s 22nd military support package for Ukraine and is valued at SEK 25.2 billion. It is Sweden’s largest military support package for Ukraine to date.
The package also includes measures valued at SEK 1.5 billion to strengthen air defence and ammunition supplies. These include procurement of ammunition, such as long-range artillery ammunition, and electromagnetic warfare systems to help Ukraine detect and engage incoming threats to its airspace.
Sweden will also support Ukraine’s long-range capability through procurement of materiel, technical support and command and control systems. The Government said these measures are intended to address Ukraine’s most prioritised defence needs.
The package includes SEK 300 million for innovation initiatives and industry cooperation. Sweden said 14 contracts for demonstrator models and pre-series orders have so far been signed.
Following ongoing evaluations, the intention is for these innovative products to be ordered in series and donated to Ukraine. The funding also gives Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration the ability to finance initial procurement linked to industry cooperation focused on producing innovative Ukrainian technology in Sweden.
The package also includes SEK 100 million in support from the Swedish Defence Research Agency. This includes projects such as Glimt, a digital platform that can be used for crowd forecasting to help Ukraine make decisions, adapt to the international situation and strengthen its defence against Russia.
The Swedish Defence Research Agency will also continue work on the development of explosives and the positioning of unmanned vehicles. Sweden is also allocating SEK 1 billion to multilateral funds and initiatives supporting Ukraine.
A further SEK 100 million will support Ukraine’s civil defence. This includes training and materiel for Ukrainian voluntary organisations active in health and medical training, as well as procurement of mobile air traffic towers for civilian air traffic control.
The Swedish Government said the package combines the planned sale of Gripen E/F aircraft with the possible donation of Gripen C/D aircraft, advanced ammunition and wider defence support. It said the measures are designed to reinforce Ukraine’s air defence and support the country’s broader defence needs.
