Ukraine Signs $2.5 Billion Contract with Sweden for 16 Saab Gripen E Fighter Jets
Swedish defence company Saab has signed a contract worth approximately SEK 24.6 billion ($2.5 billion) with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for 16 Gripen E multirole combat aircraft for Ukraine. The deal was confirmed by Saab on 30 June 2026, representing the first firm order under a broader framework that could eventually reach 100–150 Gripen E aircraft.
The contract follows a joint announcement by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Uppsala in May 2026, where both leaders outlined Ukraine’s intent to acquire up to 20 Gripen E/F aircraft while Sweden pledged to donate 16 Gripen C/D fighters from its own air force stocks.
Delivery Schedule and Financing
Saab’s deliveries to FMV are scheduled for 2029–2030. The transfer of the 16 Gripen C/D fighters from Swedish Air Force inventory is planned to take place in early 2027. Financing draws on an EU loan facility, UK support, and Swedish government funding to offset the replacement of C/D aircraft donated to Ukraine.
Why Gripen E Matters for Ukraine
The Gripen E is a NATO-standard 4.5th-generation multirole fighter equipped with an AESA radar, advanced electronic warfare suite, and broad weapons integration. Its design for short-field operations and low maintenance burden makes it particularly suited to the operational conditions Ukraine faces. Adding Gripen E alongside the existing F-16 fleet diversifies and expands Ukraine’s air combat capacity.
The deal also sends a clear signal about Alliance commitment to Ukrainian air power at scale — an outcome that would have been politically unthinkable just two years ago.
Sources: Saab official press release (saab.com) | Breaking Defense | The Aviationist | Defence Express
