Defense & Military
Sweden and Ukraine Sign Deal for Up to 150 Gripen Fighter Jets
Sweden and Ukraine agree on a long-term plan for Ukraine to acquire up to 150 Saab Gripen E fighter jets starting in 2026, enhancing air defense capabilities.
A New Chapter for Ukraine’s Air Force: The Gripen Deal
In a significant development for European defense, Sweden and Ukraine have solidified a long-term strategic partnership centered on the Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter jet. On October 22, 2025, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy signed a letter of intent, setting the stage for Ukraine’s potential acquisition of up to 150 of these advanced multirole Military-Aircraft. The signing, which took place at the Saab production facility in Linköping, Sweden, marks a pivotal moment, signaling a profound shift in Sweden’s foreign policy and a major step in the modernization of Ukraine’s air capabilities.
This agreement is not a simple, immediate transfer of assets. Instead, it represents a comprehensive, long-term industrial cooperation and procurement plan. The proposed timeline suggests deliveries could begin as early as 2026, spanning a period of 10 to 15 years. For Sweden, this arrangement stands to be the largest of its kind in the nation’s history, underscoring a deep commitment to supporting Ukraine’s defense infrastructure. For Ukraine, it offers a clear path toward building a modern, resilient air force equipped with one of the world’s most advanced and cost-effective fighter platforms.
The choice of the Gripen is strategic. Known for its operational flexibility, advanced technology, and, crucially, its ability to operate from austere and dispersed locations, the aircraft is well-suited to the current operational realities faced by the Ukrainian military. As we delve into the specifics of the aircraft and the agreement, it becomes clear that this partnership is about more than just hardware; it’s about building a sustainable and formidable defense capability for the future.
The Saab JAS 39 Gripen: A Multi-Role Powerhouse
The Gripen E: A Generational Leap
The specific aircraft at the heart of this agreement is the Gripen E, the latest and most advanced iteration of the platform. The “JAS” in its designation stands for Jakt (Fighter), Attack (Attack), and Spaning (Reconnaissance), reflecting its true multirole design. The Gripen E represents a significant evolution from its predecessors, featuring a more powerful General Electric F414G engine. This upgrade allows the jet to achieve “supercruise,” the ability to fly at supersonic speeds without the heavy fuel consumption of an afterburner, providing a distinct tactical advantage.
Technologically, the Gripen E is packed with cutting-edge systems. It is equipped with a new Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, which provides superior situational awareness and targeting capabilities. This is complemented by an Infrared Search and Track (IRST) system for passive target detection and advanced electronic warfare capabilities to counter sophisticated threats. The airframe has also been redesigned to increase internal fuel capacity and expand its payload, boasting ten hardpoints for a wide array of air-to-air and air-to-surface weaponry, including advanced missiles like the Meteor and IRIS-T.
Inside the cockpit, the pilot benefits from a fully digital interface with a wide-area display. Saab has incorporated advanced Human-Machine Collaboration (HMC) with elements of AI, designed to process vast amounts of data and reduce the pilot’s workload. This allows the pilot to focus on critical decision-making, making the Gripen E not just a powerful aircraft, but an intelligent one.
“This will strengthen both Ukraine, Sweden and Europe.”, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson
Designed for a Dispersed Battlefield
One of the Gripen’s most defining and relevant features is its design for dispersed operations. This concept is deeply rooted in Sweden’s own defense strategy, which anticipates the need to operate away from large, vulnerable airbases. The Gripen was engineered to take off and land on short, less-prepared runways, including sections of public roads. This capability minimizes its reliance on conventional airfields, which are often primary targets in a conflict.
This operational flexibility is a critical advantage for the Ukrainian Air-Forces. The ability to disperse its fighter fleet across numerous smaller, makeshift airfields significantly enhances survivability and operational unpredictability. The aircraft’s maintenance requirements are also designed for field conditions, with a small ground crew able to refuel and re-arm the jet quickly, ensuring a high sortie rate. This combination of low maintenance needs and minimal runway requirements makes the Gripen an exceptionally resilient platform.
The delta wing and canard configuration of the Gripen provides it with outstanding agility and short-field performance, further cementing its suitability for this role. In the context of the ongoing conflict, where infrastructure is constantly under threat, an aircraft that is not tethered to traditional bases is an invaluable asset. This inherent design philosophy makes the Gripen a practical and powerful choice for Ukraine’s defense needs.
A Landmark Agreement with Strategic Implications
The Framework of the Deal
The letter of intent signed by both nations outlines a potential procurement of between 100 and 150 Gripen E aircraft. It is crucial to understand that this is the beginning of a process, with the final financing and contractual details still to be negotiated. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed his hope that the first Deliveries could arrive in 2026, highlighting the urgency of bolstering his country’s air defenses. The deal is structured as a long-term acquisition over 10 to 15 years, ensuring a steady integration of the new platform and fostering deep industrial ties between Saab and Ukraine’s defense sector.
This agreement follows earlier discussions that were paused in 2024 to prioritize the delivery of F-16s from other international partners. The revival of the Gripen plan in this new, more ambitious form signals a renewed and long-term commitment from Sweden. It positions the Gripen not as a stopgap measure, but as a core component of Ukraine’s future air force, intended to serve for decades to come.
The scale of the potential order would be a major success for the Gripen program, securing the production line for years and solidifying its standing in a competitive global market. For Ukraine, it provides a clear and credible roadmap for transitioning from its aging fleet of Soviet-era aircraft to a modern, NATO-interoperable standard.
“We consider the JAS 39 Gripen aircraft to be one of the most effective elements of this effort and count on the first deliveries of Gripens already in 2026. The Gripen is a priority for our army.”, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky
Concluding Section
The agreement between Sweden and Ukraine for the potential supply of Gripen fighter jets is a multifaceted and strategic development. It represents a significant enhancement of Ukraine’s defensive capabilities with an aircraft perfectly suited for its operational environment. The Gripen E’s advanced Avionics, supercruise capability, and, most importantly, its ability to operate from dispersed and austere locations, provide a robust answer to the challenges of modern warfare. This is more than an arms deal; it is the foundation of a long-term industrial and defense partnership.
For Sweden, this marks a historic shift, moving decisively to support a partner nation with its top-tier defense technology on an unprecedented scale. As the details are finalized, this collaboration will not only reshape the Ukrainian Air Force but also have lasting implications for European security architecture and the defense industry. The path ahead involves complex negotiations, but the signed letter of intent is a powerful declaration of a shared commitment to a secure and resilient future.
FAQ
Question: What is the Gripen E?
Answer: The Gripen E is the latest, most advanced version of the Saab JAS 39 Gripen multirole fighter jet. It features a more powerful engine, an advanced AESA radar, a modern digital cockpit, and an increased payload and range compared to previous models.
Question: How many Gripen jets is Ukraine acquiring?
Answer: Ukraine and Sweden have signed a letter of intent for the potential acquisition of up to 150 Gripen E aircraft over a period of 10 to 15 years.
Question: Is Sweden donating the aircraft?
Answer: No, this is not a donation. The agreement is a large-scale, long-term industrial cooperation and procurement deal. The financing and final contract details are still under negotiation.
Question: When will Ukraine receive the first Gripen jets?
Answer: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated he hopes for the first deliveries to begin in 2026, though the agreement outlines a delivery schedule spanning 10 to 15 years.
Sources
Photo Credit: Reuters
Defense & Military
GE Aerospace and Shield AI Complete X-BAT Engine Test
GE Aerospace and Shield AI complete AVEN thrust-vectoring nozzle testing on the F110-GE-129E, keeping X-BAT on track for late 2026 first flight.
GE Aerospace and Shield AI have successfully completed integration, actuation, and engine light-off testing of a multi-axis thrust-vectoring nozzle on an F110-GE-129E engine, clearing a major propulsion hurdle for the X-BAT vertical take-off and landing combat aircraft.
Announced in a July 20, 2026, press release, the testing took place at GE Aerospace’s operations site in Peebles, Ohio. The campaign represents the first fully integrated test of the Axisymmetric Vectoring Exhaust Nozzle (AVEN) hardware and control systems since its original development in the 1990s. The successful light-off keeps the X-BAT program on schedule for a planned first flight in late 2026.
Resurrecting thrust vectoring for vertical flight
The AVEN system pivots engine exhaust in three dimensions, providing the precise directional control required for the aircraft to balance on its tailpipe during vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) maneuvers. Originally designed in the 1990s, the AVEN program accumulated 73 hours of ground testing and 135 flight hours across 95 flights on an experimental F-16 before being shelved.
Shield AI and GE Aerospace are now adapting that legacy hardware to meet the demands of modern autonomous flight. The integration requires the nozzle to execute rapid, coordinated movement sequences driven by Shield AI’s flight control software.
“The AVEN is what makes vertical flight possible on a platform this size and this capable. We’re applying it differently than it was ever used before. Vertical flight requires fast gimbaling to maintain attitude control, a demand the original program never had to meet,” said Armor Harris, Senior Vice President of Aircraft Engineering at Shield AI.
Harris noted that utilizing hardware with a proven track record allowed the engineering teams to bypass the initial stages of clean-sheet development. The next phase of the program will focus on iterating the propulsion approach to reduce weight and increase speed for future variants.
Scaling the X-BAT for contested environments
Shield AI unveiled the X-BAT in Washington, D.C., on October 21, 2025. The aircraft is designed as a Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) capable of operating independently or as a drone wingman in contested airspace. By November 5, 2025, Shield AI and GE Aerospace had signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on the platform’s propulsion, selecting the F110-GE-129 engine paired with the AVEN system.
The aircraft relies on Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy software to conduct missions without traditional runway infrastructure. According to reporting by Tectonic Defense, the X-BAT measures 26 feet in length and features a 39-foot wingspan. Naval News estimates the platform will achieve a range exceeding 2,000 nautical miles and an operational ceiling of 50,000 feet, positioning it for both austere land bases and potential naval integration.
Amy Gowder, President and CEO of Defense & Systems at GE Aerospace, stated that pairing the company’s propulsion scaling experience with Shield AI’s vehicle development allows the program to move rapidly from concept to fielded capability.
AirPro News analysis
We view the successful light-off of the AVEN-equipped F110 as a validation of Shield AI’s strategy to integrate mature subsystems rather than developing bespoke hardware. The GE Aerospace F110 engine family has accumulated 11 million flight hours. By pairing a highly reliable, mass-produced core engine with a previously flight-tested 3D vectoring nozzle, the X-BAT program significantly reduces its technical risk profile.
The primary challenge moving forward will be software integration. While the AVEN hardware is proven, the 1990s-era actuators were not designed for the continuous, high-frequency gimbaling required to stabilize a tail-sitting VTOL aircraft in turbulent conditions. Shield AI’s Hivemind system will need to manage these actuation limits carefully to prevent mechanical fatigue while maintaining attitude control during the critical transition between vertical and forward flight.
Sources: GE Aerospace
Photo Credit: GE Aerospace
Defense & Military
Pratt Whitney Completes 3D-Printed TJ150 Turbojet Demo Test
Pratt & Whitney validates additive manufacturing for the TJ150, consolidating 50+ hot section parts into 3D-printed components.
Pratt & Whitney has successfully completed demonstration testing of an additively manufactured TJ150 turbojet engine, a process that consolidated more than 50 individual hot section components into a small number of 3D-printed parts.
The RTX Corporation subsidiary announced the milestone on July 20, 2026, during the Farnborough International Airshow in London. The test results validate the manufacturer’s strategy to use additive manufacturing to simplify design and accelerate production for expendable military propulsion systems.
Consolidating hot section components
According to the press release, nearly 60 percent of the TJ150 engine’s volume was produced using additive manufacturing. This volume includes major static and rotating hardware. By utilizing 3D printing technologies, engineers reduced the complexity of the engine’s hot section and replaced over 50 traditional parts with a handful of consolidated components.
The TJ150 is a 150-pound thrust class turbojet designed for single-use applications.
“For expendable engines like the TJ150, where missions can last minutes or hours, simplifying the design and scaling production quickly is essential to meeting rising demand,” said Jill Albertelli, President of Military Engines at Pratt & Whitney.
Integration with cruise missiles and decoys
The successful demonstration of the 3D-printed TJ150 follows recent contract awards and integration announcements for the engine platform. On March 10, 2026, Pratt & Whitney secured a follow-on contract from Leidos Dynetics to supply TJ150 engines for the AGM-190A small cruise missile.
In a separate announcement on July 15, 2026, Raytheon confirmed plans to prioritize the TJ150 engine for the initial production of the Miniature Air-Launched Decoy (MALD). Raytheon noted that utilizing the existing engine platform keeps restart timelines short while the company explores additively manufactured engines for longer-term opportunities.
Expanding additive manufacturing applications
Pratt & Whitney plans to apply the manufacturing techniques validated during the TJ150 demonstration to other propulsion programs. Albertelli stated that additive manufacturing helps the company move designs from concept to capability faster. She confirmed that the manufacturer is leveraging the TJ150 learnings to benefit other systems, including the Pratt & Whitney Valox engine family.
AirPro News analysis
The successful test of a heavily 3D-printed TJ150 highlights a critical shift in defense aerospace manufacturing. As military operators demand higher volumes of autonomous systems, decoys, and tactical missiles, traditional supply chains for small turbine engines face significant bottlenecks. Casting and machining conventional hot-section components requires extensive tooling and long lead times. By consolidating dozens of parts into a few additively manufactured pieces, we see manufacturers directly addressing the need for rapid scalability.
Expendable engines operate for very short durations, meaning they do not require the same long-term durability as commercial or manned military turbofans. This specific operational profile makes them ideal candidates for additive manufacturing, allowing producers to prioritize production speed and cost reduction over thousands of hours of time-on-wing reliability.
Photo Credit: RTX
Defense & Military
GE Aerospace and Magellan Sign F414 MRO MOU for Canada
GE Aerospace and Magellan Aerospace signed an MOU at Farnborough to establish a Canadian F414 engine MRO center if Canada selects the Gripen E.
GE Aerospace and Magellan Aerospace Corporation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on July 22, 2026, at the Farnborough International Airshow to establish a Canadian MRO center for the F414-GE-39E engine. The agreement is entirely contingent on the Government of Canada selecting the Saab JAS 39 Gripen E for its future fighter fleet.
Announced in a GE Aerospace press release, the proposed MRO work would take place at Magellan’s facility in Mississauga, Ontario. The partnership aims to position Magellan as Canada’s domestic center of excellence for F414 engine sustainment, guaranteeing sovereign support capabilities for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) if the Gripen E is acquired.
Industrial offsets and the Gripen E campaign
The MOU represents a calculated component of a broader industrial offset campaign by Saab AB and its suppliers to secure a portion of Canada’s fighter procurement contract. The Canadian government is currently reviewing its fighter jet strategy. While Ottawa previously committed to purchasing a fleet of 88 Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Military-Aircraft, the government is evaluating a potential mixed fleet that could include domestically built Gripen E fighters.
To strengthen the Gripen’s bid, Saab has been securing agreements with Canadian aerospace firms to promise domestic job creation and technology transfer. This engine sustainment agreement follows a similar MOU signed on July 17, 2026, between Saab and Canadian aviation training firm CAE Inc. to cooperate on advanced fighter pilot Training.
Engine sustainment and domestic capabilities
The F414 engine family has accumulated more than 5 million flight hours globally. The new agreement builds on a 60-year working relationship between GE Aerospace and Magellan Aerospace Corporation.
Paul Ferraro, Vice President of Defense Engines & Services at GE Aerospace, stated that the agreement spans both military and commercial engines and will ensure the RCAF has in-country access to sustainment services to maintain F414 readiness.
Haydn Martin, Vice President of Business Development, Marketing, and Contracts at Magellan Aerospace Corporation, emphasized the operational benefits of the proposed partnership.
“Should the Saab JAS 39 Gripen E aircraft be selected, Magellan Aerospace will be ready to provide world-class engine maintenance, repair and overhaul services that enhance operational readiness for the Royal Canadian Air Force while maintaining highly skilled Canadian jobs, developing advanced technical expertise, and strengthening Canada’s long-term defence industrial capacity,” Martin said.
AirPro News analysis
We view this MOU as a clear signal that the competition for Canada’s fighter fleet remains highly active despite the initial F-35A selection. By lining up domestic heavyweights like Magellan and CAE, Saab is directly addressing Ottawa’s stringent Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) policy requirements. If the Government of Canada opts for a mixed fleet, establishing sovereign MRO capabilities for the F414 engine will be a critical factor in mitigating supply chain risks and ensuring RCAF operational independence. Until a formal procurement decision is finalized, these agreements remain strategic positioning rather than guaranteed Contracts.
Sources: GE Aerospace
Photo Credit: GE Aerospace
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