The production of Swedish Gripen fighters in Ukraine is planned to begin in 2033. This was announced by Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal after a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief’s Staff.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Plans for Localization of Production and Cooperation Details
Denys Shmyhal reported that negotiations with the Swedish side regarding the supply of 150 Gripen aircraft and the localization of their production at Ukrainian enterprises took place recently. He explained that a memorandum has already been signed between a Ukrainian company and the Swedish company Saab regarding the future localization of Gripen production in Ukraine. It is expected that from 2033, production will include both large-scale assembly and the manufacturing of individual components.
“As a result of our president’s agreement with the Prime Minister of Sweden, we worked out the details of our future agreements with the Swedish Ministry of Defense yesterday. We are negotiating the delivery of 150 Eco-class Gripens… A corresponding memorandum was signed yesterday between one of the Ukrainian companies and Saab regarding the future localization of Gripens in Ukraine. We expect that from 2033, Gripen will be significantly localized in Ukraine, with production ranging from large-scale assembly to the localization of individual parts,” Shmyhal said at a briefing.
Delivery Timelines and Personnel Training
President Volodymyr Zelensky clarified that 2033 has been set as the date for the opening of the factory, while the delivery of Gripen fighters will occur before this date. The Defense Minister emphasized that Ukraine aims to receive Gripen aircraft of the previous C and D modifications as early as 2026, and negotiations are currently underway to expedite this process. The production of the more modern Eco version will start a bit later, but within the next few years.
The parties also discussed the possibility of starting training for Ukrainian pilots and mechanics from early 2026 to synchronize the receipt of aircraft with personnel training.
According to Shmyhal, two working groups have been created: a technical group focused on preparing for the receipt and operation of Gripen, and a financial group working on contract issues.
Last month, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the first of the 150 Gripen aircraft promised by Sweden would arrive in Ukraine as early as next year.
On October 22, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson informed about the signing of a declaration regarding the sale of 100 to 150 of the latest series E Gripen fighters to Ukraine. He noted that this is just the beginning of a “long journey over the next 10-15 years.”
The Prime Minister of Sweden emphasized in comments to journalists that the issue of Ukraine receiving Gripens in 2026 is currently not under consideration, as partners decided not to introduce two different types of combat aircraft simultaneously during the war to avoid complicating training and maintenance.
Earlier, the President’s Office reported that a unique part of the security agreement with Sweden is the provision of specialized ASC 890 aircraft, as well as the prospect of transferring JAS 39 Gripen along with appropriate training.
In August 2024, it became known that Ukrainian pilots had already begun testing Swedish Gripen fighters.
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion by Russia, Ukraine has requested modern F-16 fighters from the West. In 2023, several countries agreed to transfer such aircraft to Ukraine. The first F-16s were showcased during the celebration of the Air Force Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on August 4, 2024.