{"id":36011,"date":"2026-05-29T08:54:22","date_gmt":"2026-05-29T05:54:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=36011"},"modified":"2026-05-29T08:54:24","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T05:54:24","slug":"ukraine-to-buy-20-gripen-fighter-jets-and-receive-16-older-c-d-variant-aircraft-from-sweden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/ukraine-to-buy-20-gripen-fighter-jets-and-receive-16-older-c-d-variant-aircraft-from-sweden\/","title":{"rendered":"Ukraine to buy 20 Gripen fighter jets and receive 16 older C\/D variant aircraft from Sweden"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>3 minute read<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Ukraine will buy 20 new Gripen fighter jets from Sweden, while Stockholm will also donate 16 older Gripen C\/D aircraft next year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced on May 28, 2026.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The announcement was made during a joint press conference at Sweden\u2019s Uppsala air base, where two Gripen fighter jets were displayed. The agreement marks one of the biggest steps in efforts to modernize Ukraine\u2019s air force as the war with Russia continues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The two countries had signed a letter of intent last year that opened the way for Sweden to sell up to 150 Saab Gripen E fighter jets to Ukraine. However, deliveries of the newer Gripen E models are expected to begin from 2030 due to production timelines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ukraine has described the Gripen jets as a top priority for its future air fleet. Kyiv has been seeking modern Western aircraft to replace and strengthen its mix of Soviet-era and NATO-standard planes currently being used in combat operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cGripen is the best and optimal choice for Ukraine. So today, we take the next major step on this joint journey,\u201d Kristersson said during the press conference.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-media-max-width=\"800\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">You can do a lot with Gripen fighter jets.<br><br>But they\u2019re built for one thing.<br><br>Good luck, Ukraine. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/iGE8RvDTj5\">pic.twitter.com\/iGE8RvDTj5<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Ulf Kristersson (@SwedishPM) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/SwedishPM\/status\/2059957288627015785?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 28, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br>Zelenskyy said the fighter jets represented \u201ca new page for Ukraine\u201d and added that Kyiv still aims to eventually purchase all 150 aircraft mentioned in the original agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe need these jets, and for us this is really a new page for Ukraine,\u201d Zelenskyy said. \u201cGod bless; we will have enough financing for this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Ukrainian leader said Kyiv had allocated around $2.9 billion from a wider $105 billion European Union loan package to help finance the purchase of the aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the meantime, the transfer of the older Gripen C\/D jets is expected to provide Ukraine with a temporary boost to its air defense and combat capabilities before the newer models arrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br><strong>Saab Shares Rise After Announcement<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The deal also gave a major boost to Swedish defense manufacturer Saab, whose shares rose more than 4% following the announcement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Saab CEO Michael Johansson described the agreement as a \u201cbig day\u201d for the company and said the growing international interest in Gripen aircraft would strengthen the platform\u2019s global reputation.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Ukraine-Sweden-Gripen-jets-deal.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1016\" height=\"678\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Ukraine-Sweden-Gripen-jets-deal.jpg?resize=1016%2C678&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Ukrainian President Zelenskyy with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Uppsala, Sweden, as both countries signed defense deal for providing Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine\" class=\"wp-image-36014\" style=\"width:840px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Ukraine-Sweden-Gripen-jets-deal.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Ukraine-Sweden-Gripen-jets-deal.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Ukraine-Sweden-Gripen-jets-deal.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Ukraine-Sweden-Gripen-jets-deal.jpg?resize=589%2C392&amp;ssl=1 589w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Ukraine-Sweden-Gripen-jets-deal.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1016px) 100vw, 1016px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><sup>Ukrainian President Zelenskyy with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Uppsala, Sweden, as both countries signed a defense deal for providing Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine. (Image Credit: X\/@ZelenskyyUa)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe more countries that select the Gripen fighter and it starts flying in operations in more countries, the more people understand what a fantastic capability this is,\u201d Johansson said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sweden has been one of Ukraine\u2019s strongest European backers since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sweden has already provided around $13.75 billion worth of military and civilian aid to Ukraine and has set aside billions more in support for this year and next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Gripen as an Alternative<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Gripen fighter jet is widely viewed as a cost-effective alternative to more expensive Western aircraft such as the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Military analysts often point to the Gripen\u2019s lower maintenance requirements, quick turnaround times, and ability to operate from dispersed bases and ordinary roads as key advantages during wartime operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The agreement highlights the growing influence of the Swedish defense industry, which has seen increased demand since Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine reshaped Europe\u2019s security environment.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Gripen-jets.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"483\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Gripen-jets.jpg?resize=900%2C483&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Gripen jets\" class=\"wp-image-22088\" style=\"width:840px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Gripen-jets.jpg?w=900&amp;ssl=1 900w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Gripen-jets.jpg?resize=300%2C161&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Gripen-jets.jpg?resize=768%2C412&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><sup>Gripen fighters equipped with Litening 4i LDP (Laser Designator Pod) during Ample Strike 2021 exercise hosted by the Czech Republic. (Image Credit: Saab)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ukraine will buy 20 new Gripen fighter jets from Sweden, while Stockholm will also donate 16 older Gripen C\/D aircraft next year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced on May 28, 2026.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":32283,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[62,1],"tags":[256,6,546,357,668,314,113,213,22,751],"class_list":["post-36011","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-europe","category-news","tag-aircraft","tag-defense","tag-eurofighter","tag-europe","tag-gripen","tag-saab","tag-security","tag-sweden","tag-ukraine","tag-zelenskyy"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Ukraine-Sweden-leaders-jet.jpg?fit=690%2C370&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7jJWb-9mP","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36011","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=36011"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36011\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":36018,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36011\/revisions\/36018"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/32283"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36011"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=36011"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=36011"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}