The Air Force told about the advantages of Swedish Gripen fighters

Swedish Gripen fighters have a lower cost compared to their counterparts and are also cheaper to maintain. This was announced during a telethon by the Head of the Communications Department of the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Yuriy Ihnat.

He said that the idea of purchasing Swedish aircraft is not new. Discussions about this were held in the early 2000s, as the military leadership realized that the Soviet fleet would not last forever.

Ihnat, commenting on the future supply of Gripen to Ukraine, emphasized that it is one of the cheapest models.

"This aircraft is not too expensive, especially in terms of maintenance. There is such a thing as a flight hour. How much does a flight hour cost for a Gripen and an F-35? The price is many, many times different," said the representative of the Air Force.

In addition, Swedish fighter jets can use dozens of airfields throughout Ukraine, in particular for refueling and arming.

The Gripen can be used both for air combat and for striking the enemy on the ground, Ihnat said.

He stated that the Gripen has its own range of weapons. Some weapons are related to NATO aircraft, and some are unique.

"Therefore, if we received the Gripen, we would have additional weapons from this or that country and could use them. Because today, it is missiles and bombs that are in short supply," the military stated.

On Wednesday, October 22, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson signed a letter of intent on cooperation in the development of air capabilities. The document will open up opportunities for an export agreement to supply Ukraine with up to 150 modern Gripen fighter jets.

• In July 2024, the Swedish Foreign Minister said that there was a willingness to give Ukraine Gripen fighter jets, but Kyiv refused them, as it decided that having two fighter systems – F-16 and Gripen – at the same time was too much.
• On September 4, 2025, the Swedish Defense Minister said that the country was open to selling Ukraine modern Gripen fighter jets, but after the war ended.