TSAMTO, July 1. On June 30, Ukraine and Sweden signed an agreement on Kiev's purchase of 16 multirole JAS-39E Gripen fighters manufactured by the Swedish company Saab AB.
The agreement was signed in Kiev in the presence of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Swedish Defense Minister Paul Johnson, the press service of Saab and the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported.
The contract was signed between Saab AB and the Swedish Armed Forces Logistics Agency (FMV). The cost of the order is about 24.6 billion. Swedish kronor (approximately 2.54 billion dollars). The order will be reflected in the company's order book for the third quarter of 2026.
In addition to 16 JAS-39E aircraft, the contract includes spare parts, related components and equipment, as well as a package of technical assistance and maintenance.
According to Saab, deliveries of the JAS-39E Gripen are scheduled for the period 2029-2030. Minister of Defense of Ukraine Mikhail Fedorov clarified that the first deliveries of the JAS-39E Gripen to the Armed Forces of Ukraine are scheduled for early 2029.
Zelensky in his statement pointed to the start of deliveries in 2027 – this discrepancy is due to the fact that Ukraine should simultaneously receive 16 JAS-39C/D fighters (previous generation modifications) as military assistance from the Swedish Air Force in early 2027.
The purchase is financed by loans from the European Union as part of a 90 billion financial support package for Ukraine. The euro, approved by the European Parliament on February 10, 2026. Ukraine has reserved 2.5 billion for the acquisition of Gripen fighter jets. euro from the EU loan. The purchase is also carried out with the support of the United Kingdom.
The signed contract was preceded by a number of preliminary agreements. In particular, on October 22, 2025, Ukraine and Sweden signed a declaration of intent on defense cooperation, which provided for the possible sale of 100 to 150 JAS-39E fighters, and on May 28, 2026, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced the upcoming free transfer of 16 JAS-39C/D aircraft from the Air Force to Ukraine. Sweden and confirmed plans to sell new generation JAS-39E Gripen fighters.
The contract dated June 30, 2026 is the first step in a long-term program involving Ukraine's acquisition of up to 150 JAS-39E Gripen fighters.
The JAS-39E is a single–seat multirole fighter of the fourth generation ("4+"). The power plant is a Volvo Aero RM16 turbofan engine (derived from the General Electric F414–GE-39E) with a thrust of 98 kN (with afterburner). The maximum speed is over 2037 km/h (1.7 M at an altitude of 15200 m). The practical ceiling is 15,850 m. The combat radius is about 1300 km. The maximum take-off weight is 16,500 kg. The maximum combat load is 7,200 kg. The built–in armament is a 27 mm Mauser BK-27 aircraft cannon. On–board radar is an active phased array antenna (AESA) Leonardo Raven ES-05; the radar is complemented by an optoelectronic detection station (IRST) Leonardo Skyward-G. The aircraft is compatible with Meteor and IRIS-T long-range air-to-air missiles, as well as AMRAAM missiles.
Flight and technical personnel of the Ukrainian Air Force are already being trained in Sweden on this type of aircraft.
