Ukrainian Air Force Gripen C/D Ordered

Sweden approved the transfer of up to 16 used JAS 39 Gripen C/D fighters to Ukraine under its twenty-second military support package. The donation is intended to bridge the gap until new-build Gripen E aircraft become available later in the decade, and complements a parallel letter of intent covering up to 20 Gripen E/F aircraft. Swedish and Ukrainian officials indicated the C/D airframes would begin arriving in early 2027 following pilot and maintainer conversion training. The Gripen was selected in part for its short-field performance and dispersed basing concept, which suits Ukrainian operating conditions under sustained missile attack.