Sweden to build 100-150 JAS 39 Gripen fighters for Ukraine. Their delivery will be extended for 10-15 years

Ukraine and Sweden intend to conclude a contract for the production and delivery of 100 to 150 fourth-generation JAS 39 Gripen multi-role fighters to Kyiv. The delivery of the aircraft may be extended for 10-15 years.

This is evidenced by a report by the Swedish TV channel TV4 Nyheterna and a statement by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Today, October 22, a meeting between Zelenskyy and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson took place at the factory of the Swedish company Saab.

TV4 Nyheterna reports that even before the joint press conference, Kristersson said that Ukraine wants to buy between 100 and 150 JAS 39 Gripen E fighters.

"This is the beginning of a long journey, but it brings us one step closer to a major export deal for Saab and Sweden with Ukraine," Kristersson said.

He added that the deal with Ukraine opens up significant opportunities for the future of the Ukrainian Air Force, as well as for Sweden and its defense industry.

TV4 Nyheterna notes that the contract for the production and sale of fighters to Ukraine will be the largest such deal for Sweden and Saab.

During the press conference, Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukraine and Sweden have begun work on obtaining Gripen fighters.

"We expect that the future contract will allow us to receive at least 100 such aircraft. We clearly understand that this is a process. We understand the financial basis for the implementation of this contract, which is important for us. We discussed this with the Prime Minister and the management of Saab," the President of Ukraine said.

The Head of State added that next year Ukraine must do everything to achieve the first real results of the above-mentioned agreement. He noted that procedures always take time, but the framework agreement must be filled with concrete content as soon as possible.

Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine has already been able to prove its ability to quickly train pilots and technicians, as well as prepare the appropriate infrastructure.

"Now we need to do everything to ensure that next year becomes the time for the implementation of our agreements, the start of the use of Gripen," the President summed up.

As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, back in August 2023 it became known that Ukrainian pilots are undergoing training in Sweden on JAS 39 Gripen fighters.

And in September 2023, the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet wrote, citing its own sources, that Ukrainian pilots had carried out the first test flights on Gripen fighters.