Overview
- Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy held an aviation announcement in Uppsala on Thursday that unveiled plans to prepare several in‑service Gripen C and D fighters for transfer to Ukraine.
- Sweden’s planned transfer of older Gripen C/D jets is intended as an interim step because deliveries of the newer, more capable Gripen E would take years to complete.
- Negotiations on buying Gripen E jets are expected to start with Ukraine likely to use European Union loan funding and Ukraine’s defence minister has said a deal could be signed within months.
- Saab shares rose after the announcement and Ukraine’s defence ministry also said it expects additional Dassault Mirage 2000 fighters, signaling a broader push to strengthen Ukrainian air defences.
- Any long‑term Gripen E purchase will face limits from current production capacity, the need for pilot and systems training, and integration of radar and electronic‑warfare systems despite a letter of intent signed last year for up to 100–150 jets.