Saab Gripen E fighter (Saab).
MILAN — Saab has signed a contract to deliver 16 Gripen E fighter jets to Ukraine as part of a deal worth SEK 24.6 billion ($2.5 billion), to be financed through a European Union loan with support from the United Kingdom.
The agreement was signed on Tuesday during a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Swedish Minister of Defense Pål Jonson during his visit to the war-torn country. Saab clarified in an email statement that they have been contracted by the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (FMV) for this order.
Under the deal, first agreed between Stockholm and Kyiv in May, the aircraft deliveries will begin in early 2029 and will also include spare parts and technical assistance, with Ukrainian pilots already undergoing training in Sweden, per a statement from Zelensky’s office.
“In addition, Ukraine will receive the first 16 Gripen C/D fighter jets in early 2027 as military assistance from Sweden,” the statement added.
