Saab Signs SEK 24.6B Gripen E Contract for Ukrainian Air Force

Saab AB has finalized a SEK 24.6 billion contracts with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to manufacture and deliver 16 Saab Gripen E fighter aircraft destined for the Ukrainian Air Force.

The agreement, signed on June 30, 2026, formalizes a bilateral defense commitment between Sweden and Ukraine and schedules aircraft deliveries for the 2029 to 2030 timeframe, according to a press release issued by the manufacturers.

Contract details and delivery timeline

The orders, valued at approximately $2.5 billion USD, includes the 16 airframes alongside spare parts and associated support equipment. Saab stated it will officially book the order in the third quarter of 2026. Manufacturing and initial deliveries will take place in Sweden, with the FMV receiving the aircraft before their subsequent transfer to Ukraine.

The Saab Gripen E is designed for operational resilience and dispersed operations. The Military-Aircraft can take off and land on short stretches of public roads or temporary runways. This capability aligns with the operational requirements of the Ukrainian Air Force amid ongoing threats to traditional airbase infrastructure.

Saab President and CEO Micael Johansson stated the agreement will provide a critical capability upgrade for the operator.

“I am deeply proud that Sweden and Saab can now enable the provision of Gripen E to Ukraine, bringing a world-class fighter that will transform the Ukrainian Air Force’s capability. This will significantly strengthen Ukraine’s air defence and help ensure the nation can protect its people and safeguard its future,” Johansson said.

Bilateral defense agreements and interim capabilities

The formal contract follows a May 28, 2026, announcement made in Uppsala, Sweden. During that meeting, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy outlined a broader air defense cooperation plan between the two nations.

Ukraine initially stated its intent to acquire up to 20 Saab Gripen E/F aircraft, of which 16 are now firmly contracted. To provide an interim capability boost while the newly ordered Gripen E models are manufactured, the Swedish government previously announced its intent to donate 16 older Saab Gripen C/D aircraft to Ukraine.

AirPro News analysis

The formalization of the Saab Gripen E contract represents a major shift in Western defense procurement for Ukraine, moving from the donation of legacy airframes to the direct commissioning of newly manufactured, advanced fighter aircraft. We view the 2029 to 2030 delivery window as an indicator that European defense planners are structuring support for the Ukrainian Air Force as a long-term modernization effort rather than strictly an immediate wartime stopgap. The Gripen E’s specific design parameters, particularly its low maintenance footprint and ability to conduct dispersed operations from austere locations, make it uniquely suited to the threat environment in Eastern Europe.

Sources: Saab AB