Ukraine has reached agreements with international partners for the supply of 150 new Swedish Gripen fighter jets and 100 French Rafale aircraft. This was announced by President Volodymyr Zelensky during a meeting with students and faculty at the Kyiv Aviation Institute.
This is reported by Kyiv24
“Ukraine has agreements for the supply of 150 Gripen combat aircraft and 100 Rafale. These are the best planes in the world, in our opinion,” the president noted, emphasizing that these are entirely new aircraft.
According to Zelensky, Ukraine already has F-16 fighter jets in its arsenal, but they are not new. The new deliveries of Swedish and French combat aircraft are expected to significantly enhance the potential of Ukrainian aviation, providing modern equipment for the protection of the country’s airspace.
Agreement with Sweden and Prospects for Gripen Transfer
On October 22, 2025, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated that a declaration of intent to sell Ukraine between 100 and 150 of the latest series E Gripen fighters had been signed between the countries. According to Kristersson, this will mark the beginning of a “long journey over the next 10-15 years,” highlighting the long-term nature of the cooperation.
In response to a question about the possibility of receiving Gripen by 2026, the Swedish Prime Minister noted that “this question is not currently on the table.” He explained that partners decided not to introduce two different types of combat aircraft simultaneously during the war to avoid complications with training and maintenance.
Pilot Training and Strengthening Air Defense
The Office of the President of Ukraine previously reported that a unique part of the security agreement with Sweden is the transfer of specialized ASC 890 aircraft, as well as the prospect of receiving JAS 39 Gripen aircraft with appropriate training for Ukrainian pilots.
It is known that in August 2024, Ukrainian pilots began testing the Swedish Gripen fighter jets. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation, Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly appealed to Western partners for modern F-16 fighter jets. In 2023, several countries, having received the consent of the United States, agreed to transfer these aircraft to Ukraine, and the first F-16s were showcased during the celebration of the Air Force Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on August 4, 2024.