Zelenskyy confirmed the expectation that Ukrainian aviators will begin training later this year to operate the future fleet of Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighters, amid expanding military cooperation with Sweden
Ukraine expects to begin training its pilots on Swedish Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets later in 2026, reinforcing one of the most ambitious projects to modernize its air force since the start of the war. The information was confirmed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a joint press conference with King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden.
Commenting on the deepening cooperation between Kyiv and Stockholm, Zelenskyy highlighted the importance of the program aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s air defense and the future incorporation of next-generation Swedish aircraft.
“We are grateful for the new program to strengthen the protection of our skies, in relation to our future modern fleet of Swedish-made aircraft, Gripen aircraft. We very much hope — we will discuss this today with His Majesty — that our pilots will begin training, training this year,” the Ukrainian president said.
The statement reinforces that the Gripen project has entered a more concrete phase, with expectations of progress not only in political negotiations, but also in the practical training of pilots and technical teams.
Sweden increases its weight in military support for Ukraine
Zelenskyy also stressed that Sweden is already among the five largest donors of military aid to the Armed Forces of Ukraine in terms of allocated resources. According to him, the new Swedish package for 2026 and 2027 reaches SEK 80 billion, equivalent to approximately US$8.8 billion.
The figure is significant because it is close to the total volume of military aid provided by the Swedes between 2022 and 2025, estimated at SEK 88.1 billion. In practice, the move signals that Stockholm intends to maintain a central role in the reequipment of Ukrainian forces in the coming years.
Gripen could become one of the pillars of Ukraine’s future air force
Plans for the acquisition of a significant number of Swedish fighter jets became public at the end of October 2025, when then Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a declaration of intent for cooperation in the defense sector.
The document paved the way for expanding the strategic partnership between the two countries and came to include the possibility of purchasing 100 to 150 Saab JAS 39 Gripen E aircraft. In addition to the acquisition, the understanding also includes maintenance, pilot training, technical qualification, and the exchange of experience in defense technology.
During the signing of the agreement, Kristersson described the initiative as “the beginning of a long journey over the next 10 to 15 years,” indicating that the project was designed as part of a structural and long-term transformation of Ukrainian combat aviation.
Local production and long-range weaponry enter the radar
Another strategic point in negotiations between Ukraine and Sweden involves localizing Gripen production on Ukrainian territory. Under the initial understandings, aircraft manufacturing is expected to be largely localized from 2033 onward, which, if confirmed, would represent an important leap for the country’s defense industrial base.
At the end of 2025, the two governments also discussed for the first time the start of training for Ukrainian pilots and technicians focused on the Swedish fighter. Then, at the beginning of 2026, information emerged about talks involving the possible transfer of Meteor long-range air-to-air missiles.
If it moves forward, this package could significantly increase the combat capability of Ukraine’s future fleet, combining a modern aircraft with more flexible operation and a high-performance missile for beyond-visual-range engagements.
The possible arrival of the Gripen in Ukraine, combined with pilot training already in 2026, reinforces that Kyiv is seeking not only to replace losses, but to build a more modern, interoperable air force prepared for the combat environment of the future.
Source and images: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, X @ZelenskyyUa
