Ukraine and Sweden signed an agreement for the purchase of 16 Gripen E fighter jets, with deliveries set to begin in early 2029. In addition, in early 2027, Ukraine will receive the first 16 Gripen C/D fighter jets as military aid from Sweden. This was reported on the official website of the President of Ukraine, according to UNN.
Details
"President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with Sweden's Minister of Defence Pål Jonson, during which the countries concluded an agreement on the purchase of 16 Gripen E fighter jets," the statement reads.
In the presence of Zelenskyy and the defence ministers of Ukraine and Sweden, the document was signed by Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Defence Serhiy Boyev and Director General of the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration Mikael Granholm.
Deliveries of the 16 Gripen E aircraft will begin in early 2029. The purchase will be financed through a European Union loan and with the support of the United Kingdom.
Under the agreement, Ukraine will also receive aircraft equipment, technical assistance, and logistical support. Training of Ukrainian pilots and technical personnel is already underway in Sweden.
Furthermore, in early 2027, Ukraine will receive the first 16 Gripen C/D fighter jets as military aid from Sweden.
During the meeting, further strengthening of Ukrainian combat aviation and air defence was also discussed. In particular, this concerned Sweden's participation in the PURL programme and new contributions to it, as well as work on the development of European anti-ballistic missile defence.
Special attention was paid to preparing an agreement in the Drone Deal format. According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine is ready to sign this document with Sweden as soon as possible.
The President also briefed on the situation on the battlefield, the successful operations of the Ukrainian military, and the plans of the Defence Forces. Pål Jonson noted Ukraine's successes at the front.
Additionally, the sides discussed challenges during preparations for winter and areas in which Sweden can provide assistance.
"We are grateful that we have such strong partners – the Swedish people, the Swedish government, and companies. A strong private sector is also very important. Thank you very much for this and for the annual military support, the military packages, which are very important. Of course, political support on the path to the EU is very important. Sweden, for its part, truly advocates for Ukraine's future membership," Zelenskyy stated.
Recall
Ukraine received the opportunity to purchase up to 20 Swedish-made Gripen fighter jets, and is also expected to receive 16 as bilateral aid from Sweden.