Ukraine expects to receive additional fighter jets from its Western partners in the near future, including Swedish Gripens, French Mirages, and American F-16s, a senior defense official has confirmed.
The deliveries, once completed, will mark a new stage in Kyiv’s efforts to modernize its air force and strengthen its ability to counter Russian air superiority.
In an interview with BBC News Ukraine, Deputy Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Ivan Havryliuk said preparations for the arrival of new aircraft are underway but declined to reveal specific details on delivery schedules or the number of jets expected.
“Let’s put it this way: when you see them in the skies over Ukraine, then you’ll understand,” Havryliuk said when asked about the timeline.
Pressed by the interviewer on whether all the mentioned aircraft — the Mirage, Gripen, and F-16 — were expected, Havryliuk responded: “Practically, you named the lineup correctly, but I will not go into details about when, which, or how many.”
The deputy minister’s comments follow months of signals from Sweden about potential deliveries of Gripen multirole fighters. In early September, Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson told the defense publication Breaking Defense that Stockholm remained “open to discussions” about providing older Gripen C/D variants to Ukraine.
The idea of supplying Gripens has also been supported by representatives of Saab, the aircraft’s manufacturer. The C/D versions, while not the newest in Sweden’s inventory, remain highly capable fourth-generation fighters equipped for both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. Their advanced radar, modern avionics, and ability to operate from dispersed airfields make them well-suited for Ukraine’s combat environment.
If delivered, the Gripens will join a growing fleet of Western fighter aircraft being integrated into Ukraine’s air defense and strike capabilities. F-16s supplied by the United States and European allies will provide advanced radar, precision targeting, and beyond-visual-range engagement capabilities, while French Mirage jets would add additional multi-role flexibility.
Ukrainian officials have long argued that modern fighter aircraft are essential to counter Russia’s control of the skies and to protect civilian infrastructure from missile and drone attacks. Currently, Ukraine’s air force relies primarily on Soviet-era MiG-29s and Su-27s, which are increasingly outmatched by newer Russian fighters and surface-to-air missile systems.