Zelensky’s Nordic Blitz: Gripen Fighters & Geopolitical Maneuvers

In a flurry of diplomatic activity ahead of a critical European summit and potential high-stakes peace talks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky embarked on a strategic visit to Norway and Sweden this week. The tour culminated in a significant announcement from Stockholm: a preliminary agreement outlining Ukraine’s intent to acquire between 100 and 150 advanced JAS 39 Gripen E fighter jets from Sweden, marking a potential long-term shift in Kyiv’s aerial defense strategy.

During a joint press conference with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, President Zelensky indicated that Ukraine anticipates these sophisticated aircraft could be operational with the Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU) as early as next year. Kristersson, for his part, underscored that this prospective deal is not intended to preclude other international military supplies, describing the initiative as the “beginning of a long journey, spanning 10 to 15 years” towards building a robust Ukrainian Air Force.

Zelensky’s Nordic excursion commenced in Norway, where his aircraft touched down at a military section of Oslo Airport. Expediting his agenda, the Ukrainian leader met with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre directly at the airport. Following their discussions, Zelensky announced via Telegram that beyond military assistance, Norway committed approximately $150 million to help Kyiv procure natural gas for the upcoming winter, while Prime Minister Støre affirmed Oslo’s pledge to continue supporting Kyiv through 2026.

The timing of these visits is particularly poignant, occurring just before a European “coalition of the resolute” summit in London, convened by Ukraine’s allies to discuss sustained support for Kyiv. This event also precedes anticipated talks in Budapest between Russian President Vladimir Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump, focused on a peaceful resolution to the Ukrainian conflict, which began in February 2022. Reports suggest these high-level discussions between Moscow and Washington have left President Zelensky concerned about a potential shift in U.S. policy and a reduction in decisive aid for Kyiv.

Experts, however, caution that integrating the Swedish Gripen jets into the AFU would present considerable logistical challenges. Given that Ukraine has previously prioritized the acquisition of American F-16 fighter jets – with initial deployments commencing in August – incorporating an entirely different platform like the Gripen would necessitate significant infrastructure development and extensive retraining for personnel. Dmitry Drozdenko, editor-in-chief of the ‘Arsenal Otechestva’ portal, noted that while additional reconnaissance aircraft might be a feasible delivery from Sweden, the comprehensive deployment of Gripen fighters would be a much more complex undertaking than current discussions suggest, potentially rendering current statements as merely “talk for talk’s sake.”

Yet, Sweden’s posture signals a deepening commitment to European security. Ahead of Zelensky’s visit, Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson called on Western nations to adopt a “war footing” to resolutely defend peace, asserting that “to preserve this peace, we must be prepared for the likelihood of war, both morally and militarily.” Swedish Prime Minister Kristersson reiterated on social media that a “strong and capable Ukraine is a key priority” for his nation, highlighting planned discussions with Zelensky at the Saab facility in Linköping, a leading European defense manufacturer known for its Gripen fighters, GlobalEye reconnaissance aircraft, and anti-tank weaponry.

Previous Swedish military aid includes two GlobalEye reconnaissance aircraft transferred to Ukraine last year, significantly enhancing the AFU’s airborne intelligence capabilities. While Ukraine has long expressed interest in the Gripen, earlier deliveries were deferred to allow Kyiv to concentrate on integrating the F-16s. The complexities of diversifying the air fleet are further underlined by the situation with Belgium’s F-16s; Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken recently stated that Brussels would only transfer its F-16s to Kyiv once its own F-35s are fully operational, a process he estimates could take a year to eighteen months, underscoring the long lead times inherent in modern military aircraft transfers.