This week, it became known that Ukraine and Sweden have finally signed an agreement on transferring Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine. Although Saab is already ramping up production of the JAS 39E/F Gripen, fulfilling Ukraine’s order, along with other potential contracts, would require building a new manufacturing facility. According to Defense Express, there is interest in locating this plant in Ukraine.
The talks about Gripens had previously been put on pause, as allies asked to postpone the decision in order to prioritize the implementation of F-16s. However, Ukraine has consistently emphasized that the Gripen remains the most suitable option for its air force. Why exactly, and what aircraft does Ukraine already have in service — let’s take a closer look.
Advantages of Gripens
Swedish fighter jets have a number of advantages over their American counterparts, primarily due to their design. The Gripen can take off and land on short or improvised runways, including straight stretches of roads. This feature makes it practical for Ukraine, where airfields are often targeted by Russian missile strikes.
The Gripen is a multirole aircraft, capable of performing air combat, ground attack, and reconnaissance missions. It is equipped with state-of-the-art radar and electronic warfare systems, including the Raven ES-05 AESA radar, which provides a major advantage over Soviet-era aircraft. The jet capable of striking targets at distances exceeding 100 kilometers.
Ukrainian pilots already had an introduction to the Gripen in 2023 during training sessions in Sweden.
Ukraine’s Current Aircraft Fleet
The first transfers of MiG-29 fighter jets after the full-scale invasion were from Eastern European countries. Slovakia agreed to provide Ukraine with up to 13 MiG-29s, with the first four aircraft delivered in March 2023. Poland also handed over several MiG-29s.
The transition to Western aircraft began later, after long diplomatic negotiations. NATO member states formed a coalition to train Ukrainian pilots for the F-16 Fighting. Denmark and the Netherlands have been leading this initiative, and by late 2024, the first six F-16s from Denmark were delivered to Ukraine.
The F-16 represents a major technological leap. It can perform nearly all types of combat missions — from air-to-air battles to precision strikes on ground targets.
At the beginning of 2025, Ukraine officially received its first French Mirage 2000-5F jets as well.
Conclusion
Ukraine is becoming a country whose air force combines aircraft from different technological generations — from post-Soviet MiGs to modern Western fighters like the F-16, Mirage, and now the Gripens on the way. It is noteworthy that they could be equipped with Germany’s long-range Taurus missiles — another highly desirable but not yet acquired weapon for Ukraine. News about the need for production expansion is also positive in terms of potential new workplaces. However, the Gripens will not be received immediately; current forecasts suggest delivery next year.
Each of the aircraft types plays a distinct role and offers its own set of advantages. Together, they form a balanced and flexible air defense system capable of both protecting Ukrainian skies and striking back effectively.
