--- title: "Swedish Gripen Jets in Service with the Ukrainian Armed Forces: What is Known About Deliveries and Combat Arsenal" description: "Ukraine will receive 16 JAS 39 Gripen fighters from Sweden this winter. We examine the armament these aircraft carry and how they will change the balance of power in the sky. πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦βœˆοΈπŸ‡ΈπŸ‡ͺ" date: 2026-05-28T13:08:00.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/swedish-gripen-jets-in-service-with-the-ukrainian-armed-forces-what-is-known-about-deliveries-and-combat-arsenal tags: [] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Swedish Gripen Jets in Service with the Ukrainian Armed Forces: What is Known About Deliveries and Combat Arsenal ![JAS 39 Gripen fighter jet in flight against the sky](https://xab.info/media/2026/05/28/shvedskie-gripeny-na-sluzhbe-vsu-chto-izvestno-o-postavkah-i-boevom-arsenale/jas-39-gripen-v-polete.webp) Changes are coming to the Ukrainian skies. This winter, the country is set to receive a batch of 16 JAS 39 Gripen fighters, models C and D, from Sweden. This is only the first stage of a large-scale rearmament program, under which Kyiv plans to acquire more than two dozen of the newest E-series aircraft in the future. But what lies behind the JAS acronym, and to what extent are these aircraft capable of changing the course of the air war? ### The History of the Swedish Fighter The JAS 39 Gripen is the creation of Saab, becoming a symbol of the Swedish aviation school. Development began as early as 1979, and the first prototype took to the skies in 1987. The path to serial production was not simple: due to flight control system issues, the first official flight was delayed by a year and a half. Nevertheless, by 1997, the fighter was officially adopted by the Swedish Air Force and began its export career, finding use in the Czech Republic, Hungary, South Africa, and Thailand. ### Technical Features of Deliveries for Ukraine The first batch expected in Ukraine includes aircraft from the so-called third batch (1997 order). This consists of 50 upgraded single-seat JAS 39Cs and 14 two-seat JAS 39Ds, nicknamed "Turbo Gripen." These machines, produced between 2002 and 2008, are already equipped with more powerful avionics, in-flight refueling systems, and onboard oxygen generators, which are critical for long combat missions. In the future, Ukraine plans to receive Gripen NG (E/F series) fighters. They differ not only in dimensions but also in their powerplant. While versions C/D use the Volvo RM12 engine (based on the GE F404) with a thrust of 80.5 kN, the new machines are equipped with the more powerful and modern GE F414-GE-39E engine with a thrust of 98 kN. ### Combat Potential and Armament The Gripen is a versatile platform. Originally designed for interception using AIM-9L missiles, it evolved into a full-fledged multi-role fighter. The integration of medium-range AIM-120 missiles in the late 90s allowed it to destroy targets beyond visual range. Today, the arsenal of the Swedish fighter includes: - Precision weapons for engaging ground and surface targets. - Swedish-made cluster bombs with individual onboard computers and inertial navigation. They are effective against both personnel and armored vehicles. - KEPD 350 cruise missiles with a range of over 500 km, capable of destroying strategically important objects deep in the enemy's rear. The delivery of these machines will be a significant step in strengthening the Ukrainian Air Force, allowing the Ukrainian Armed Forces to operate effectively in the complex conditions of modern warfare.