Ukraine is expected to soon receive new fighters from its Western allies, including the Swedish Gripen, the French Mirage, and the American F-16, in an effort to modernize its air force and increase its capability to confront Russian air superiority.
According to Deputy Defense Minister Ivan Havryliuk, preparations for the arrival of the aircraft are underway, but details about dates and quantities remain confidential.
The supply of Gripens, discussed for months with Sweden, is expected to involve the C/D versions, which, although older, remain highly capable for air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. Equipped with advanced radar, modern avionics, and capable of operating from dispersed airfields, the Gripens fit well in the Ukrainian combat environment.
Representatives from Saab, the aircraft manufacturer, support the delivery, while the Swedish Defense Minister stated that Stockholm remains open to negotiations.
These aircraft will join the fleet of Western fighters already integrated into Ukraine’s air defense. The F-16s are expected to provide beyond-visual-range engagement capability and precision strike, while the Mirages add multi-role flexibility.
Currently, Ukraine relies mainly on Soviet-made MiG-29s and Su-27s, increasingly vulnerable against more modern Russian fighters and surface-to-air missile systems, reinforcing the need for air reinforcements.
Source: Defence Blog | Photo: X @Saab | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
