Key facts
- Ukraine will receive 20 new Gripen E fighter jets.
- The new jets are funded by a €2.5 billion EU loan.
- Sweden will donate 16 older Gripen models to Ukraine.
- The Gripen is designed for dispersed operations and rugged dependability.
- The Gripen could face Russian aircraft within a year.
Ukraine is set to receive 20 new Gripen E fighter jets, funded by a €2.5 billion loan from the European Union, and will also be donated 16 older models from Sweden. This move positions the Swedish-made Gripen as the backbone of Ukraine's air force, potentially confronting Russian aircraft within a year. The Gripen, first flown in 1988, is praised for its rugged dependability and ability to operate from dispersed locations, such as roads and dirt runways, making it suitable for Ukraine's operational environment. Its lower operating cost, estimated at $8,000 per hour, is also a significant advantage in a prolonged conflict. While lacking stealth capabilities and a lighter armament payload compared to aircraft like the F-35, the Gripen's design emphasizes resilience and ease of maintenance in harsh conditions. Saab, the manufacturer, currently produces about 15-20 Gripen E fighters annually and is exploring collaboration with Ukraine on repairs and potential future local production. Experts note that while the Gripen is a capable aircraft for dispersed operations, it may not enable Ukraine to achieve total air superiority against Russia's formidable air defence network. Brazil has expressed interest in purchasing 20 additional Gripen model E and F fighter jets from Sweden's Saab, according to Swedish Defence Minister Pal Jonson. The new aircraft would be manufactured in Brazil, where a production line for the jets was launched in 2023.
Ukraine will receive 20 new Gripen E fighter jets, funded by a €2.5 billion EU loan, and 16 older models donated by Sweden. The Gripen is a fourth-generation, light, single-engine supersonic fighter jet designed for multi-role missions including air-to-air combat, aerial bombing, and reconnaissance. It is considered a lower-cost alternative to fifth-generation planes like the F-35. The Gripen was designed to operate under less than ideal conditions, capable of taking off and landing on any straight road, making it harder to attack on the ground. It requires a minimal crew for maintenance, with a refuel, rearm, and clearance for the next mission taking under 10 minutes. The Gripen can utilize munitions from multiple NATO suppliers, reducing single-nation dependency. It has been used in direct combat for the first time this year by Thailand and deployed as part of NATO missions in Poland and Libya. Sweden, which joined NATO in 2024, has relied on Saab for its air force since World War Two. The Gripen competes with aircraft from Lockheed Martin and Dassault Aviation and has been exported to South Africa, Thailand, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Colombia.