Sweden Confirms Gripen Fighter Jet Delivery to Ukraine, Totaling 32 Aircraft

Sweden has officially decided to supply Ukraine with its new generation JAS 39E Gripen fighter jets, significantly bolstering Ukraine's air power. This decision follows an earlier commitment to provide up to 16 used JAS 39C/D models, which are slated for delivery by early 2027 to help Ukraine establish operational capabilities sooner.

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The JAS 39E will be equipped with GE F414 engines and 10 weapon hardpoints, and will be equipped for the first time with the Leonardo ES-05 Raven active phased array radar (AESA) and Skyward G infrared search and tracking system (IRST).

The latest agreement includes 16 JAS 39E jets, along with spare parts and equipment, valued at roughly 24.6 billion Swedish kronor (approximately $2.2 billion). These advanced aircraft are scheduled for delivery between 2029 and 2030, promising to become the most sophisticated main fighter jets in Ukraine's air force.

Compared to the C/D variants, the JAS 39E boasts a larger airframe with increased fuel capacity, powered by GE F414 engines. It will be equipped with 10 weapon hardpoints and feature the advanced Leonardo ES-05 Raven active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and Skyward G infrared search and track (IRST) system. The ES-05 Raven radar will be the first AESA radar in Ukraine's fighter fleet, offering extended detection ranges and improved ability to track low-flying missiles and drones.

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The ES-05 Raven will be the first AESA fighter jet radar in Ukraine, not only with a longer detection range, but also easier to detect low-flying cruise missiles and small drones, and can be deflected left and right to further expand the search range.

The JAS 39E will also be capable of carrying up to seven MBDA Meteor long-range air-to-air missiles, considered among the best in the world. This capability, combined with the potential to integrate with Swedish-provided Saab 340 airborne early warning aircraft, will allow Ukrainian jets to engage targets without activating their own radar, significantly enhancing survivability. The integration of JAS 39E jets, F-16s, and Mirage 2000s is expected to replace Ukraine's aging Soviet-era aircraft, establishing a Western fighter jet system with modern radar, data links, and long-range combat capabilities, thereby substantially improving Ukraine's air defense and air superiority.

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The JAS 39E can carry up to seven MBDA 'Meteor' beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles. 'Meteor' has a range of about 210 kilometers and is considered one of the best active air-to-air missiles in the world.