Ukraine Awaits First Swedish Gripen Jets in February 2027 to Counter Russian Drones and Airstrikes.

Ukraine expects to receive its first Swedish Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets in February 2027, potentially expanding its ability to intercept Russian attack drones and challenge aircraft launching guided glide bombs. The fighters would complement Ukraine's existing F-16 and Mirage 2000 fleets, introducing additional air defense capabilities as Russian strikes continue to pressure Ukrainian forces.

A Swedish Air Force Saab JAS 39 Gripen C fighter jet in flight. Ukraine expects its first Gripen deliveries in February 2027 to strengthen its defenses against Russian drones and aircraft launching guided glide bombs. (Picture source: Saab)

Key Tactical Insights:

• First deliveries in 2027: Ukraine expects its first Swedish Gripen C/D fighters in February 2027, under a planned transfer of up to 16 aircraft.
  
  
• Defense against Russian attacks: Gripen fighters could intercept drones and cruise missiles, while potential Meteor integration could provide additional engagement options against Russian Su-34 fighter-bombers.
  
  
• Ukrainian fighter modernization: Kyiv also plans to acquire 16 newly manufactured Gripen E fighters, with deliveries expected to begin in 2029 to complement its Western aircraft fleets.

The arrival of the Gripen would address two requirements for the Ukrainian Air Force. The first is to increase its capacity to intercept drones and cruise missiles used by Russia against Ukrainian infrastructure and military facilities. The second concerns Russian Su-34 fighter-bombers, which can release guided glide bombs from dozens of kilometers away, often while remaining beyond the reach of some Ukrainian ground-based air defense systems.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky outlined the expected delivery schedule on November 10, 2026, while speaking to journalists in Copenhagen following discussions with Nordic and Baltic leaders. According to his remarks, the first aircraft could arrive in January or February 2027, with February now considered the more likely timeframe. Zelensky also said Kyiv had repeatedly requested an accelerated transfer and identified Russian Shahed-type attack drones, including newer jet-powered variants, as one threat the Swedish fighters could be assigned to counter.

The announcement provides further details on Sweden's planned transfer of 16 Gripen C/D fighters under its military assistance program. Ukrainian pilots and technical personnel are already undergoing training in Sweden to prepare for their introduction into service. However, neither Stockholm nor Kyiv has confirmed how many aircraft will be included in the initial delivery or when they will become operational.

Related News: Ukraine to receive first Gripen fighter jets from Sweden in early 2027 to counter Russian missiles

Gripen Fighters Could Extend Ukraine's Ability to Challenge Russian Aircraft

The Saab JAS 39 Gripen C/D is a multirole combat aircraft designed for air defense, interception, and ground-attack missions. Powered by a Volvo RM12 turbofan engine, it can reach speeds of approximately Mach 2. Its PS-05/A radar supports detecting and tracking multiple airborne targets, while onboard electronic warfare systems are intended to improve survivability in contested airspace.

One consideration for Ukraine is the Gripen's compatibility with several Western air-to-air missiles, including the IRIS-T, AIM-120 AMRAAM, and MBDA Meteor. Sweden has identified these weapons among those that could accompany the donated aircraft, although the exact missile types and quantities expected in the initial deliveries have not been confirmed.

The Meteor could be particularly relevant against Russian aircraft operating at a distance from the front line. Unlike conventional air-to-air missiles powered by rocket motors, it uses a ramjet propulsion system that allows it to maintain thrust during much of its flight. This characteristic helps preserve the missile's energy during the terminal phase of an engagement and provides an extended engagement envelope against fast or maneuvering airborne targets.

For Ukraine, the potential integration of Meteor missiles on Gripen fighters could complicate operations by Russian Su-34 fighter-bombers, which are regularly used to launch guided glide bombs against Ukrainian positions. These weapons allow Russian aircraft to strike targets without necessarily entering areas covered by Ukraine's more capable ground-based air defense systems.

Gripen fighters equipped with Meteor missiles could potentially force Russian crews to maintain greater standoff distances, alter their flight paths, or adjust their attack profiles. Such pressure could restrict their freedom of action and complicate certain bombing missions. However, the outcome would depend on missile availability, targeting information, radar coverage, and the ability of Ukrainian fighters to operate near areas protected by Russian air defense systems.

Countering drones would represent another mission. Zelensky specifically referred to Shahed-type systems and their jet-powered variants, whose higher speeds can reduce the time available for Ukrainian air defenses to respond. With their speed and onboard sensors, Gripen fighters could help intercept these threats before they reach their targets, operating alongside Ukraine's existing air defense assets.

Using fighter aircraft against relatively inexpensive drones nevertheless presents economic limitations. Air-to-air missiles are costly resources that must be allocated according to the threat posed by each target. Gripen aircraft could therefore be prioritized for faster drones, cruise missiles, or other threats that are difficult for ground-based systems to engage, while less expensive interception methods continue to address part of the conventional drone threat.

Another characteristic relevant to Ukraine is the Gripen's ability to operate from dispersed locations. Developed to meet Swedish Air Force requirements, the aircraft can use relatively short runways and specially prepared road sections. Saab specifies a minimum takeoff distance of approximately 400 meters and a landing distance of 500 meters for the Gripen C, as well as an air-to-air combat turnaround time of around ten minutes under defined servicing conditions.

This flexibility could allow Ukraine to reduce its reliance on major air bases, which remain exposed to Russian missile and drone strikes. Distributing aircraft across several locations would make them more difficult to locate and destroy on the ground. However, such operations would also require mobile maintenance teams, refueling equipment, ammunition stocks, and suitable infrastructure to sustain operational activity.

Sweden's Fighter Transfer Supports Ukraine's Longer-Term Aviation Modernization

The introduction of the Gripen C/D forms part of Ukraine's gradual transition toward Western combat aircraft. F-16 fighters supplied by European partners and French Mirage 2000 aircraft are already contributing to the replacement of Soviet-era equipment. Adding a third Western fighter type could expand Ukraine's operational options, although it would also introduce further requirements for training, maintenance, and supply chains.

These constraints remain relevant for Kyiv. Zelensky has reiterated Ukraine's need for additional F-16 fighters and suitable ammunition, while maintenance requirements periodically reduce the number of aircraft available for operations. The Gripen could help distribute missions across several fleets, but it would not eliminate the logistical challenges associated with operating different aircraft types simultaneously.

Alongside the planned transfer of 16 Gripen C/D fighters, Ukraine and Sweden concluded an agreement on June 30, 2026, covering the acquisition of 16 newly manufactured Gripen E aircraft. According to the Ukrainian presidency, initial deliveries are scheduled to begin in early 2029. Financing is expected to involve European support mechanisms and British assistance, while the agreement also covers aircraft equipment, logistical support, and technical assistance.

The Gripen E incorporates several changes compared with the C/D variants expected in 2027. It is equipped with a General Electric F414G engine, an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, and updated electronic warfare systems. The aircraft also provides increased fuel and weapons capacity. These modifications are designed to extend its operational range and improve detection, engagement, and survivability in contested airspace.

For Sweden, the proposed transfer of Gripen C/D aircraft also requires adjustments to its own air force capabilities. Stockholm has allocated funding to progressively replace the aircraft earmarked for Ukraine with additional Gripen E/F fighters. The planned assistance, comprising up to 16 aircraft alongside associated equipment and advanced weapons, has an estimated value of approximately SEK 22.2 billion within Sweden's broader military support program for Ukraine.

Ukraine's immediate priority remains the delivery and integration of the first Gripen C/D fighters. Their potential arrival in February 2027 would mark another stage in the country's transition toward Western combat aircraft, but it would not guarantee their immediate entry into operational service. Pilot readiness, missile availability, and the establishment of maintenance and support arrangements will determine how quickly the aircraft can participate in missions. Their contribution will be particularly relevant to efforts to counter Russian drones and aircraft launching guided glide bombs, two threats that continue to affect Ukrainian forces and infrastructure.

Written By Erwan Halna du Fretay - Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Erwan Halna du Fretay holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and has experience studying conflicts and global arms transfers. His research interests lie in Security and strategic studies, particularly the dynamics of the defense industry, the evolution of military technologies, and the strategic transformation of armed forces.

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