Zelensky Says First Swedish Gripens May Arrive in Early 2027

Ukraine may receive its first Swedish-donated Gripen CD fighter jets in January or February 2027, President Volodymyr Zelensky said November 10, while noting that Kyiv had asked Sweden to speed up the transfer. The estimate is a planned delivery window, not confirmation that the aircraft will arrive then; Zelensky did not give a number for the initial delivery.

The anticipated aircraft are used Gripen CD fighters from Sweden’s existing fleet. Sweden announced a conditional plan to transfer up to 16 of them, subject to Ukraine agreeing to buy Gripen EF aircraft and to parliamentary authorization. The status of that authorization was not established in the reports. The proposed assistance package also includes ammunition, training and maintenance support, according to the Swedish plan described in one report.

The proposed transfer is separate from a purchase agreement Ukraine and Sweden signed in June 2026 for 16 new Gripen E fighters. Deliveries under that agreement are due to begin in early 2029. The two arrangements involve different aircraft models and timelines: the CD transfer is planned military assistance, while the E models are part of a procurement deal.