British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on 16 July 2026 that the United Kingdom is investing 300 million euros to help deliver Swedish Gripen fighter aircraft to Ukraine, with the goal of Ukraine having a complete air division of 16 Gripen E aircraft in service by 2029.
The British government states that the package, in addition to the aircraft, also includes pilot and engineer training, simulators, spare parts, and other equipment. The announcement was made in connection with Starmer's visit to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Ukraine.
According to the British government, the investment is expected to support 5,000 skilled jobs at more than 50 British companies supplying the global Gripen programme. Among the companies mentioned are Saab UK in Fareham and Leonardo UK in Edinburgh.
The Gripen E is capable of air combat, ground attack, and reconnaissance missions. The government states that the aircraft has low maintenance requirements and can be operated by small ground crews, which is described as well suited to Ukraine's operational needs. The Gripen aircraft are also interoperable with NATO combat aircraft and have previously operated alongside British aircraft. According to the British government, Swedish Gripen aircraft participated alongside the Royal Air Force in Poland as part of NATO's air policing mission in the summer of 2025.
"Over the past two years I have visited Ukraine four times and seen with my own eyes the devastation Russia has caused. That is why Britain's support will never waver. Today's investment will help place Gripen fighter aircraft in Ukrainian skies," said Keir Starmer in the press release.
Defence Minister Dan Jarvis MBE MP states in the same press release that the aircraft will give Ukraine the air combat capability needed to deter Russia. The United Kingdom states that it is providing £3 billion in military support to Ukraine during 2026, and that the investment builds on a previous commitment to deliver 150,000 drones and thousands of air defence missiles to Ukraine during the year.