Saab CEO Mikael Johansson expects an agreement to be signed for the supply of Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine within a few months.
He stated this in an interview with the Swedish broadcaster SVT.
According to him, negotiations are at an advanced stage. The company is actively working with governments and partners to finalize the agreements.
The Saab CEO emphasized that the decision depends on political agreements between the countries. The company is ready to fulfill the contract immediately after its approval.
A €90 billion loan to Ukraine is cited as the main impetus for its implementation. According to Johansson, this will allow the deal to be finalized within a few months, at the latest by the end of this year.
As a reminder, on October 22, 2025, Ukraine and Sweden signed a declaration of intent regarding cooperation in the defense sector. The document also included the potential sale of Swedish Gripen E fighter jets to Ukraine.
At that time, the number of aircraft Ukraine planned to purchase was between 100 and 150 units.
We also recommend reading the exclusive article by Militarnyi “Saab Gripen: Fighter Jet With Potential for Ukrainian Air Force”
However, despite signing the letter of intent, the parties have not taken any public steps toward implementing the contract. Despite this, Saab is considering a large-scale expansion of Gripen E fighter production to meet Ukraine’s potential order.
It was reported at the time that deliveries of new Gripen E aircraft could begin three years after the contract is signed. Saab is already capable of producing 20–30 aircraft annually but is preparing to further increase production rates.
Meanwhile, on October 25, 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine expected to receive the first of 150 Swedish JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets as early as 2026, likely in the C/D version.
In this context, reports emerged in December 2025 that Ukraine and Sweden had discussed the start of training for Ukrainian pilots and technical personnel. The collaboration between Ukraine and Sweden on the fighter jet project reached a new milestone with the arrival of 2026.
We also recommend reading the exclusive article by Militarnyi “Gripen E/F Fighter: Aircraft Assembled Piece by Piece”
On February 1, 2026, it was reported that as part of a new military aid package for Ukraine, the ministers also discussed the possibility of transferring Meteor missiles, which will serve as a crucial means of countering aircraft carrying guided bombs.
As early as February 13, Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson, following a meeting with his new Ukrainian counterpart Mykhailo Fedorov, announced that Ukraine plans to use part of the 90-billion-euro EU loan funds to purchase Swedish Gripen fighters.
On 5 March, Volodymyr Zelensky announced at a press conference that Ukraine was preparing to make an initial payment for the first Gripen and Rafale fighter jets, which are to be supplied by Sweden and France respectively.
Also, on April 17, Militarnyi reported that during a joint press conference with King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukraine expects to begin training pilots on the JAS 39 Gripen as early as 2026.
