Under the arrangement, 16 Swedish Gripen aircraft will be urgently gifted to Ukraine. Ukraine will also purchase 20 new Gripen aircraft through an EU support loan to help build its future air force capacity.
The UK said the deal will support Ukraine’s ambition to build a strong air force that is interoperable with NATO allies. It said the aircraft will provide Ukrainian forces with modern, agile and highly capable multirole air combat platforms.
The Ministry of Defence said the aircraft will significantly strengthen Ukraine’s air power. It also said the deal will bolster NATO supply chains and resilience across the Alliance.
The Gripen programme involves collaboration between the UK, Sweden and the United States. Companies across the UK supply critical components for the aircraft, including radar and landing gear.
The UK Ministry of Defence said more than 30% of each aircraft is manufactured in the UK. At least 50 British-based companies, from Saab UK in Fareham to Leonardo UK in Edinburgh, are expected to be involved in the deal.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “This deal shows what British industry can achieve on the world stage – supporting thousands of jobs from Yeovil to Edinburgh while helping to deliver the air power Ukraine needs to defend itself against Russia’s illegal invasion.”
“By standing with our allies and backing Ukraine, we are securing real benefits for British workers and businesses. This is our international partnerships working for Britain,” Starmer said.
Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard said the UK would continue to support Ukraine as Russia’s aggression continues. He said Britain would work with Ukraine and NATO allies such as Sweden to bring together industrial capacity in support of Kyiv.
“As the fierce resistance of the Ukrainians continues, and as Russian aggression grows, the UK will not waver. We will stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and our NATO Allies like Sweden, bringing the combined power of our industries to bear to support the fight against Putin’s illegal war,” Pollard said.
“This deal is both a big boost for Ukraine’s air power and a show of confidence in our world-leading UK defence industry, supporting thousands of good British jobs here at home. This is the UK stepping up as one for Ukraine: our government, our military and our industry,” he said.
The UK said it continues to play a leading role in international support for Ukraine. This includes training for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, expertise sharing and billions of pounds per year in military equipment support, including 120,000 drones this year.
Combined military support from the UK and Sweden since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 now stands at £11.4 billion. The UK said the Gripen deal reflects close cooperation between London and Stockholm.
The UK and Sweden share a defence and security partnership based on Joint Expeditionary Force and NATO membership. The partnership also reflects a shared commitment to security in the Baltic Sea region and the High North.
Last summer, a squadron of Swedish Gripens deployed to Poland alongside the Royal Air Force for NATO air policing. The UK said this showed the practical defence cooperation between the two countries.
The UK and Sweden also have a record of defence industrial collaboration, including Gripen export successes in Colombia and Thailand. Saab is investing £100 million in its Fareham site in the UK.
BAE Systems also has a long-standing presence in Sweden through BAE Bofors and BAE Hägglunds. The UK said this cooperation helps drive the next generation of defence and maritime technology by combining Swedish and British innovation.
