UK pledges €300 million to fund 16 Gripen fighter jets for Ukraine

The UK has pledged €300 million ($345 million) to help Ukraine field a squadron of 16 Saab Gripen E fighter jets by 2029.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the funding during a visit to Kyiv on July 16, 2026, where he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The UK said it would work with Sweden to help deliver the aircraft as Ukraine continues to defend itself against Russian attacks.

The package includes training for Ukrainian pilots and engineers, simulators, spare parts and other equipment needed to operate and support the fighters.

“Today’s investment will help put advanced Gripen fighter jets in Ukrainian skies, strengthening their ability to defend their country while supporting thousands of skilled jobs here at home,” Starmer said.

The British government said construction of the Gripen aircraft supports around 5,000 jobs at more than 50 UK-based companies involved in the program, including Saab UK and Leonardo UK.

Saab signed a contract with Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration in June 2026 for 16 Gripen E fighters intended for Ukraine. The order is valued at approximately $2.45 billion, with Saab deliveries to Sweden scheduled for 2029 and 2030. Britain’s pledge will help support the delivery and fielding of those aircraft.

The Gripen E is the latest version of Saab’s single-engine fighter. It can conduct air-to-air missions, strike ground targets and carry out reconnaissance. The UK government said the aircraft’s low maintenance requirements and ability to operate with small ground crews make it well suited to Ukraine’s needs.

The fighters are expected to form part of a broader modernization of Ukraine’s air force, which operates Soviet-designed aircraft alongside Western fighters including the Lockheed Martin F-16 and Dassault Mirage 2000.

Sweden and Ukraine signed a letter of intent covering broader cooperation on air capabilities in October 2025. Ukraine announced in May 2026 that it intended to purchase an initial batch of up to 20 Gripen E/F aircraft, with deliveries of the new fighters expected to begin before 2030.

Sweden also plans to donate up to 16 older Gripen C/D aircraft from its existing fleet, provided Ukraine completes an agreement to purchase the newer Gripen E/F. Sweden said training for Ukrainian pilots and other personnel could begin in 2026.The post UK pledges €300 million to fund 16 Gripen fighter jets for Ukraine appeared first on AeroTime.

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