Ukraine could receive its first Swedish JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets by early 2027

The year 2027 could begin with a significant boost for the Ukrainian Air Force, arriving from the Scandinavian Peninsula.

The performance and armament of the Gripen E, the excellent Swedish fighter that Ukraine wants
Dispersed operations, the advantage of the Swedish Gripen against an attack on its bases

On May 28, the Swedish government announced the sale of Gripen E (single-seat) and Gripen F (two-seat) fighter jets to Ukraine. The order would consist of 20 Gripen E/F aircraft as a first step, following a letter of intent signed by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on October 22, 2025. As we noted here that day, Zelenskyy expressed his hope at the time of receiving at least 100 of these aircraft under a future contract.

The Kristersson government announced that, alongside the sale of Gripen E/F aircraft, Sweden will donate up to 16 JAS-39 Gripen C/D jets from the current Swedish Air Force fleet to Ukraine. This donation will also include advanced ammunition for these aircraft—specifically three types of air-to-air missiles: the AIM-2000 IRIS-T (short-range), the AIM-120 AMRAAM (medium-range), and the MBDA Meteor (long-range)—which will significantly expand the capabilities of the Ukrainian Air Force. The agreement also includes support for innovation and the enhancement of Ukraine’s electronic warfare capabilities for its air defense.

In May, the Swedish government indicated that the first Gripen E/F aircraft would arrive in Ukraine starting in 2030. By that time, these new jets would serve to replace the Gripen C/D aircraft previously donated by Sweden. The Swedish government added that the donation of the Gripen C/D jets also includes training and system maintenance, noting that the training of Ukrainian pilots and other personnel could begin as early as this year. The Swedish government explained the donation as follows: "Ukraine is also defending Sweden’s freedom."

Yesterday, Zelenskyy announced that the first Swedish Gripen fighter jets could arrive in Ukraine between January and February 2027. These initial aircraft will be the Gripen C (single-seat) and Gripen D (two-seat, used for operational conversion)—versions currently in service with the air forces of Sweden, the Czech Republic, Hungary, South Africa, and Thailand. Furthermore, Sweden already operates several Gripen E aircraft, and Brazil possesses the F-39E and F-39F—the local designations for the Gripen E/F. Additionally, in November 2025, Colombia announced the acquisition of 15 Gripen E and 2 Gripen F jets, which will replace its aging Israeli-made IAI Kfir fighters.

The Gripen is an excellent light fighter—relatively small in size (the single-seat version is only 14.9 meters long), highly maneuverable, and specifically designed for dispersed operations—meaning it can be operated from improvised runways on stretches of road, a type of operation in which Sweden has gained extensive experience since the Cold War. The Ukrainian outlet United 24 has indicated that Ukraine’s strategic goal is to acquire a fleet of 100 to 150 Gripen E/F aircraft, with plans to localize the production, maintenance, and technical repair of these fighters within Ukrainian territory starting in 2033.

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Main photo: Saab.