Gripen jets can land on roads and use all missiles Ukraine has – Zelenskyy

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that among the advantages of Gripen fighter jets are their low maintenance costs, ability to land on roads and compatibility with all missiles currently in service in Ukraine.

Source: Zelenskyy during a meeting with journalists, as reported by Ukrinform

Quote: "Gripen maintenance is the cheapest because the smallest number of personnel is required. For our pilots with qualifications and experience, it's not a year and a half of training like with the F-16s, but six months. All the technical capabilities related to take-off and landing are also advantageous – they can take off and land on roads."

Details: Zelenskyy also emphasised the importance of weapon integration.

Quote: "When we didn't yet have the F-16s, we had already started looking for ways to use Western weapons on our Soviet-made Ukrainian aircraft. It took us months, because we couldn't use the available missiles because there were no compatible mounts. It was difficult. But our engineers worked together with engineers from the countries supplying the weapons. As for the Gripen – it can carry everything. Or nearly everything that Ukraine uses – missiles and other weapons – it can be equipped with all of it."

Details: Zelenskyy also noted that an agreement had been reached with Sweden on the domestic production of Gripen jets in Ukraine.

"The main issue is we have agreed on a project to produce Gripen aircraft in Ukraine. I believe this is a historic agreement," the president stressed.

He added that the total request for combat aviation is a fleet of 250 new jets, and the supply of 150 Gripen aircraft has been agreed.

"I'm holding three parallel negotiations on aircraft – with the Swedes, the French, and the Americans," Zelenskyy noted.

He also reiterated that the three selected platforms for renewing Ukraine's fighter fleet are the F-16, Gripen and Rafale.

Background:

• Ukraine's Air Force previously noted that Gripen aircraft are cheaper than their counterparts, cost less to maintain, and will not face integration issues with Ukraine's aviation system.
• Ukraine is preparing its pilots, technical teams, and infrastructure to begin using JAS 39 Gripen fighters starting in 2026.
• Earlier, Financial Times reported that Swedish company Saab is ready to open a final assembly plant for JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets in Ukraine as part of a proposed deal to supply Kyiv with up to 150 of the aircraft.

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