On October 22, 2025, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a protocol of intent on cooperation between the two countries in the field of air defense at the Swedish Saab AB group's facility in Lycoping, under which Ukraine plans to purchase 100-150 Swedish Saab JAS-39E Gripen fighters in the future.
The signing ceremony of the protocol of intent on cooperation between Sweden and Ukraine in the field of air defense, under which Ukraine plans to purchase 100-150 Swedish Saab JAS-39E Gripen fighters in the future. Linkoping (Sweden), 10/22/2025. The ceremony featured the first pre-production JAS-39E fighter aircraft built for the Swedish Air Force (serial number 39-6002, first flown on December 3, 2019), which has been used since May 2025 to test the Centaur artificial intelligence aircraft control system.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said: "I am proud to welcome President Zelensky to Sweden and Linkoping. Today we signed an important declaration of intent, which is a step towards the possible conclusion of a comprehensive agreement on the export of Gripen - probably 100-150 aircraft - to create a new and very powerful Ukrainian Air Force. President Zelensky also had the opportunity to see with his own eyes the impressive capabilities of Gripen. This will strengthen both Ukraine, Sweden, and Europe."
At the same time, Ulf Kristersson stated at the signing of the document that it was "the beginning of a long journey for the next 10-15 years." "Next, we are talking about the latest generation [JAS-39E/F], which was just recently introduced in Sweden. Production deployment is just beginning here. That's why we're talking about three years of practice. This is when we will be able to start deliveries. And further, you can't put all 150 planes in one batch. That is, it is a long-term process." "I focus on this so as not to create the impression that it already goes without saying. But this is a very clear political and industrial will. This is how most major projects start."
As for the financing of a possible future agreement for the supply of Gripen aircraft to Ukraine, both Ulf Kristersson and President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned in their speeches the possibility of the European Union using funds from frozen Russian assets. "An important step in this direction can be taken as early as tomorrow [October 23], when the issue of frozen Russian assets will be raised at the European Council," the Swedish Prime Minister said.
Swedish Defense Minister Paul Johnson commented on the signed agreement: "Today, Sweden is taking an important step towards strengthening cooperation with Ukraine in the field of air defense and JAS Gripen fighters. We have become one step closer to protecting Ukrainian airspace with the help of Gripen. Ukraine has requested 100-150 Gripens, and we are exploring financing options for this project. Through this protocol of intent, we will deepen cooperation in the field of air warfare and air defense. Sweden supports the creation of a powerful and modern Ukrainian Air Force and strives to contribute to this. We are conducting a fruitful dialogue with Ukraine on how Gripen E can become part of these forces in the coming years. Sweden will continue to provide support to Ukraine in the airspace, both through air defense and through the [delivery] of two previously announced ASC890 [AWACS and control] aircraft."
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky later commented on the agreement: "Together with Sweden, Ukraine will significantly increase its combat aircraft. This is an ambitious task, and it must be completed. Now a historic step is the agreement with Sweden on the Gripen combat aircraft, and this is a good choice. We are counting on 150 such aircraft for Ukraine, and the first of them are expected next year. "Gripens" for Ukraine are part of our security guarantees. Such Air forces will be able to protect our skies one hundred percent. And there has never been such a large-scale deal on combat aviation for Ukraine. A historic achievement. We are working to fully implement it."
Thus, if Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson talks about the possibility of supplying Ukraine with 100-150 JAS-39E fighters within 10-15 years, with the possibility of starting deliveries only in three years, Zelensky says that the first Gripen in Ukraine "are expected next year." This suggests that starting in 2026, Ukraine may be supplied with fighters of the currently operational JAS-39C/D modification from the Swedish Air Force. Currently, the Swedish Air Force has 71 single-seat JAS-39C and 23 two-seat JAS-39D fighters in service, while it is planned that 40 JAS-39C fighters and all JAS-39D spark fighters will remain in service with modernization at least until 2035, along with the delivery of 60 new JAS-39E fighters to the period until 2030. Thus, theoretically, up to 30 JAS-39C aircraft may be available for Ukraine in the next few years.
In September 2024, the Swedish government allocated additional funding for its purchase program of 60 JAS-39E fighters in order to purchase additional components and equipment for them, which were originally planned to be taken from a part of the decommissioned JAS-39C. It is reported that in this way the Swedes sought to keep the JAS-39C aircraft complete for possible transfer to Ukraine. According to Swedish media, "Sweden can currently offer just over 10 Gripen aircraft" [from storage].
Commenting on the possibility of supplying Ukraine with 100-150 new-made JAS-39E fighters, Saab Group CEO AV Mikael Johansson said that the group is considering the possibility of a large-scale expansion of JAS-39E production to meet Ukraine's potential order. He stated that Saab is already capable of producing 20-30 Gripen aircraft per year, but the group is preparing to increase the pace further. In addition to expanding capacity at the Linkoping plant, Saab plans to increase production of Gripen aircraft in joint production with Embraer in Brazil. The implementation of these plans may take one to two years. Saab is also in talks to establish a new manufacturing hub in other countries interested in Gripen. Johansson said that "Saab is working on the delivery schedule and technical expectations of the Ukrainian side."
The single-seat JAS-39E and double-seat JAS-39F Gripen are the "new generation" of Saab JAS-39 Gripen fighters (previously designated as Gripen NG), mass production of the JAS-39E was actually launched in 2021. Saab currently has firm contracts for a total of 100 production JAS-39E/F-60 fighters for the Swedish Air Force (the first three aircraft were delivered in October 2025), 36 for the Brazilian Air Force (deliveries from November 2021, 11 aircraft were delivered, some of the aircraft are planned to be manufactured in Brazil) and four for the Thai Air Force, with the completion of their deliveries in 2030. It can be assumed that in the coming years Saab may conclude additional contracts for the supply of up to 14 more JAS-39E/F aircraft to Brazil, ten to the Swedish Air Force and eight to the Thai Air Force, as well as up to 40-50 aircraft to other countries (Colombia, Peru, the Philippines) before the beginning of the 2030s. Thus, theoretically, Saab can do without the Ukrainian contract with its existing facilities, but concluding a contract with Ukraine will most likely require the creation of an additional production line.
The signing ceremony of the protocol of intent on cooperation between Sweden and Ukraine in the field of air defense, under which Ukraine plans to purchase 100-150 Swedish Saab JAS-39E Gripen fighters in the future. Linkoping (Sweden), 10/22/2025. The ceremony featured the first pre-production JAS-39E fighter aircraft built for the Swedish Air Force (serial number 39-6002, first flown on December 3, 2019), which has been used since May 2025 to test the Centaur artificial intelligence aircraft control system (c) by the government and the Swedish Ministry of Defense.
