Sweden is officially transferring 16 Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine and will sell 22 additional aircraft, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced during a joint briefing with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday, May 28. Zelensky and Kristersson signed a declaration on deepening defense cooperation at Uppsala Air Base. The sides had previously signed a preliminary letter of intent during Zelensky’s earlier visit to Sweden.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. Sweden will transfer 16 Gripen C/D fighter jets to Ukraine free of charge. “We are transferring Gripens. Ukraine will purchase 22 new Gripen models,” Kristersson said. Negotiations on the new aircraft are ongoing and are expected to be completed by 2030. According to Kristersson, deliveries of the Gripens will begin in 2027. Zelensky, meanwhile, said Ukraine hopes to receive the first aircraft within the next 10 months. “We expect to receive the first Gripens within the next 10 months. We will do everything we can on our part,” Zelensky said. Kristersson noted that Soviet-era aircraft can still assist with reconnaissance and radar operations, but said Gripens are the best long-term option for protecting Ukrainian skies. He described the Gripen as the next step in strengthening Ukraine’s air defense capabilities. “Air defense is what Ukraine needs most now. We feel it almost every day,” the Swedish prime minister added.