Zelenskyy and Sweden Push Gripen Fighter Support as Contracts and Approvals Remain Pending

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday that Ukraine and Sweden are continuing to strengthen Ukrainian combat aviation, pointing to cooperation on Gripen fighter jets after his meeting with Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson. But the public record shows a package announced earlier this spring that is still moving through approvals and contracting, not a finalized fixed-order deal.

At the center of that package are two separate tracks. Ukraine has announced an intention to acquire an initial batch of up to 20 new Saab JAS 39 Gripen E/F fighters, while Sweden has said it intends to donate up to 16 older JAS 39 Gripen C/D aircraft from the Swedish Armed Forces. The distinction matters because the donated C/D jets are the near-term element, while the newer E/F aircraft would come later if purchase contracts are completed.

The formal announcement came May 28, when Zelenskyy and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson appeared together at Uppland Air Force Wing, or F 16, in Uppsala. Zelenskyy’s June 30 post followed his meeting with Jonson and referred not only to Gripen aircraft but also to related equipment, technical assistance and support, as well as broader cooperation under a “Drone Deal” format and on anti-ballistic work.

Sweden described the initiative as its 22nd military support package for Ukraine and its largest so far, with a total value of 25.2 billion Swedish kronor, or about $2.2 billion at current exchange rates. The Swedish government said the Gripen-and-ammunition donation element was valued at about 22.2 billion kronor. Beyond aircraft, the package includes ammunition, electronic warfare capability, long-range capability support, training, technical support and funding to replace the Swedish capability being donated. Ukraine, for its part, said it planned to allocate 2.5 billion euros in EU-provided financing under the Ukraine Support Loan for the procurement.

Several key steps, however, remain unresolved. Saab said on May 28 that it had not signed any contract and had not received an order tied to the announcement. Sweden’s government also said it had submitted an amending budget and asked the Riksdag, the Swedish parliament, to authorize the sale, donation and replacement arrangements. The planned donation of up to 16 Gripen C/D aircraft is conditional on Ukraine signing an agreement to purchase Gripen E/F fighters and on the necessary Swedish approvals.

That makes Zelenskyy’s latest statement a sign of continued political momentum rather than proof that aircraft have already been transferred or that a final purchase has been locked in. Saab CEO Micael Johansson said on May 28 that Sweden and Ukraine, together with Saab, were “taking further steps towards giving Ukraine access to Gripen” and that the company looked forward to supporting Ukraine’s acquisition and the Swedish authorities as the donated aircraft are replaced.

The timelines are also different. The Swedish government said the first donated Gripen C/D aircraft could be defending Ukraine’s airspace as early as 2027. Deliveries of new Gripen E/F jets would be phased and are estimated to start before 2030.

Zelenskyy, speaking at the May 28 announcement, framed the early goal more ambitiously: “We expect to receive the first capabilities – the first Gripens – within the next ten months. For our part, we will do everything possible to make it happen, and we are counting on this. Importantly, these aircraft will come with the corresponding weapons package, which will also help protect us against Russian guided aerial bombs.”