--- title: "Air Shield: Sweden Transfers Gripen Fighters to Ukraine and Opens the Way for Full Air Force Modernization" description: "πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦πŸ‡ΈπŸ‡ͺ Sweden has officially transferred 16 Gripen fighters to Ukraine and agreed to sell 22 newest aircraft. This decision will radically strengthen air defense and allow pushing Russian aviation out of dangerous zones. πŸš€" date: 2026-05-28T11:40:00.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/sweden-transfers-gripen-fighters-to-ukraine-en tags: [] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Air Shield: Sweden Transfers Gripen Fighters to Ukraine and Opens the Way for Full Air Force Modernization ![Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ulf Kristersson inspect a Gripen fighter at Uppsala airbase](https://xab.info/media/2026/05/28/shveciya-pereidaet-ukraine-istrebiteli-gripen/zelenyi-i-kristersson-gripen-upsala.webp) A historic moment for Ukrainian aviation has arrived within the walls of the Uppsala airbase. Here, against the backdrop of Swedish and Ukrainian flags, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ulf Kristersson cemented a new stage of military cooperation that will radically change the face of the skies over Ukraine. This is not just about supplying equipment, but about a large-scale rearmament program involving the transfer of 16 operational fighters and the sale of 22 newest aircraft. ### Double blow to the enemy's plans According to the signed declaration, Sweden undertakes to transfer 16 JAS 39 Gripen fighters of C and D series. This is not just humanitarian aid, but a real combat resource that is already capable of closing critical gaps in the air defense system. But the ambitions of the parties do not end there. In parallel, a commercial deal is being launched to supply 22 newest fighters of the E modification β€” the flagship of the Swedish aircraft industry. ### Technological leap and tactical advantages The choice in favor of Gripen is not accidental. As the Prime Minister of Sweden noted, if Soviet systems could help with reconnaissance, then it is precisely Swedish fighters that will become the optimal solution for long-term protection of airspace. The key factor is the armament: Ukrainian pilots will receive missiles with a range of over 200 kilometers. This will allow intercepting threats on approach and pushing Russian aviation out of dangerous zones, depriving the enemy of the ability to use cruise missiles from safe distances. ### Delivery schedule and strategy for decades The question of timing remains controversial, but the vector is clear. The Swedish side is oriented towards starting deliveries in 2027, while Kyiv expects to see the first machines by the end of 2025 or early 2026. President Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine is ready to buy the entire fleet of 150 fighters, viewing this as an investment in security for decades to come. Financing for this grand program, estimated at 90 billion euros, is planned to be carried out from European funds. ### Political context and security The signing of the document at the Uppsala airbase became a symbol of the fact that Sweden sees its security inextricably linked with the security of Ukraine. The transfer of fighters is a logical continuation of aid with Hawk anti-aircraft systems. For Kyiv, this is a new page in the history of the Air Force, and for Sweden β€” a demonstration that supporting Ukraine is a matter of its own national security.