Ukraine to Add Swedish-Built Gripen Jets to Its Air Fleet

Ukraine will incorporate Swedish-made Gripen fighter jets into its military fleet, First Deputy Defence Minister Lt. Gen. Ivan Havrylyuk confirmed, marking a major reinforcement of the country’s air defenses amid Russia’s ongoing invasion.

Speaking to the BBC, Havrylyuk said the aircraft are part of upcoming deliveries but declined to specify numbers or dates. “You will see them in the sky when they arrive,” he said. When asked whether this meant both Gripens and F-16s, he added that the journalist had “named the correct list.”

Sweden first offered Gripens to Ukraine in 2023, including pilot training. Kyiv initially prioritized F-16 procurement but revived talks with Stockholm in late 2024. Sweden currently operates just under 100 Gripens and plans to expand its fleet to 120 by 2030, combining upgraded C/D models with the new Gripen E variant.

The Gripen Fighter

Produced by Saab, the Gripen is a lightweight, multirole supersonic jet built for speed, agility, and low operating cost. Designed during the Cold War to defend Sweden’s vast territory on limited budgets, it can take off from short runways — even highways — and be refueled and rearmed by a crew of five in under ten minutes.

The latest Gripen E/F measures 16 meters in length, with a 9-meter wingspan, and is powered by a General Electric F414 afterburning turbofan engine. It reaches Mach 2 (2,470 km/h) and can operate at altitudes of up to 16,000 meters. Its advanced radar, infrared tracking, electronic-warfare suite, and decoy systems make it a formidable multirole platform. The aircraft carries a wide range of weapons, including Meteor and AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles, IRIS-T short-range missiles, AGM-65 Maverick air-to-surface missiles, guided bombs, and anti-ship missiles.

Global Operators

The Gripen serves in several air forces worldwide:

Sweden – Original operator; transitioning from C/D to the E model.

Czech Republic – Leases 14 Gripens; plans transition to F-35 in the 2030s.

Hungary – Operates 14 aircraft under a lease-to-own deal extended to 2036.

South Africa – Owns 26, though only part of the fleet is active due to funding.

Thailand – Fields 12 Gripens with Saab’s Erieye radar system.

Brazil – Co-produces the Gripen E/F with Saab through Embraer, including technology transfer.

Other countries — including Croatia, the Philippines, and now Ukraine, have explored future acquisitions.

Gripen vs. F-16 and F-35

The Gripen competes most directly with the American F-16 and F-35, both of which feature prominently in Western alliances.

Cost and Maintenance: The Gripen costs around $30–60 million per jet and roughly $5,000–7,000 per flight hour, far below the F-35’s $80–100 million price tag and $35,000+ per hour operating cost. Its simpler logistics and smaller ground crew requirements make it attractive for countries with limited infrastructure.

Performance and Role: The F-16, though older, remains versatile and proven in NATO service. The F-35 adds stealth and deep integration into allied data networks but at the cost of complexity and maintenance demands. The Gripen strikes a pragmatic middle ground — not stealthy, but highly networked, interoperable with NATO systems, and designed for quick turnaround in dispersed operations.

Relevance to Ukraine: For Kyiv, the Gripen offers strategic flexibility. It is rugged enough for improvised runways, sophisticated enough for modern combat, and inexpensive to operate — ideal qualities for a nation fighting an attritional war under constant missile threat.

Strategic Significance

Beyond its technical merits, the Gripen represents deepening Nordic-Ukrainian defense ties. Sweden’s support complements the F-16 coalition led by the U.S. and the Netherlands, strengthening Ukraine’s long-term ability to defend its skies with a mix of Western aircraft.

As Havrylyuk noted, the real signal will be visible only when the jets appear over Ukraine. “You will see them in the sky when they arrive,” he said — a line that captures both caution and confidence as Ukraine’s air war evolves.

Nathalie Besèr, freelance journalist