Saab Explores Expanding Gripen Production as Ukraine Talks Continue

Saab is rapidly exploring ways to expand its Gripen production rates as a potential major deal for up to 150 aircraft with Ukraine could be finalized this year, according to the company head. In an interview with Swedish public broadcaster SVT last week, the company head stated that while an agreement to deliver a significant number of Gripen fighter jets to Kyiv typically takes a few months, the company hopes it will be completed this year.

In October, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the Saab hub in Linköping, Sweden. During the visit he signed a long-term letter of intent with the Swedish government to deepen air defense cooperation, which could include the export of 100 to 150 Gripen E jets.

This week, a top Ukrainian official travelled to Sweden and said that Kyiv was ready after having developed its own plan on how to finance the project. The official did not disclose details. At the same press conference, Sweden's defense minister suggested there remain challenges.

The minister said the two teams at the ministry had been working closely during the last couple of months and that lots of progress had been made on sorting out training, production, capacity, financing and other issues. The minister added that there is interest on both the Swedish and Ukrainian sides to provide the Ukrainians with the Gripen system, which is adapted to Ukrainian needs due to its dispersed system and strong electronic warfare component.

A spokesperson for Saab told Breaking Defense that while the company defers timetable questions to Swedish authorities, it remains committed to collaborating with its Ukrainian partners to achieve a successful outcome. The spokesperson said the company is exploring a number of options to expand Gripen production capacity as global demand grows and that Saab, together with its partners, will be ready to deliver based on customers' needs defined by the contract.

Aeronautics currently represent approximately SEK 82.2 billion ($8.9 billion) of Saab's overall order backlog, which stands at SEK 274 billion ($29.8 billion). The company's CFO shared these figures during the Q1 results presentation on April 23. The company head further said that Saab is working toward a production rate of 20 to 30 aircraft per year and that, based on current and future orders, attaining the 20-unit milestone annually would be achievable in roughly one year.

While a second assembly plant is operational in Brazil, Saab representatives have also previously proposed setting up an additional facility in Canada to serve export orders. Ottawa is weighing sticking with a planned F-35 fighter jet buy or potentially operating a mixed fleet with Gripen aircraft.

Background on the Potential Deal Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the Saab facility in October 2025 and signed the letter of intent with Sweden. Discussions have continued since then between Ukrainian and Swedish officials on the possible transfer of the fighter jets along with related training and support.

The Gripen system is designed for dispersed operations and includes advanced electronic warfare capabilities. These features have been cited by Swedish officials as matching Ukrainian operational requirements.