UK commits €300 million to fund Gripen jets for Ukraine and support defence jobs

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UK funds Gripen jets for Ukraine

Highlights

UK commits €300 million to supply 16 Swedish Gripen E jets to Ukraine, including training, spare parts, and support equipment for front-line operations.
The Gripen programme will support 5,000 skilled jobs at over 50 UK companies, notably Saab UK and Leonardo UK, bolstering the British defence sector.
Britain's initiative complements £3 billion in annual military support and delivery of 150,000 drones and air defence missiles to Ukraine in 2024.

Gripen funding package and delivery plan

As announced by GOV.UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer says Britain is investing €300 million to support the delivery of advanced Swedish Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine. The funding covers a squadron of 16 Gripen E aircraft, along with pilot and engineer training, simulators, spare parts and other equipment needed to bring the jets into frontline service.

Starmer says the investment is intended to strengthen Ukraine’s ability to defend its skies while reinforcing the UK’s long-term commitment to Kyiv in its war against Russia. Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis also says the aircraft will help provide the air power Ukraine needs to deter Russian aggression.

Gripen jets are suited to Ukraine’s operational needs because they have relatively low maintenance requirements and can be run by small ground crews. The aircraft can carry out air-to-air combat, strikes on ground targets and reconnaissance missions, supporting Ukraine’s effort to build a more modern air force.

UK industrial and strategic impact

The programme is also expected to support 5,000 highly skilled jobs across more than 50 UK-based companies involved in the global Gripen supply chain. The government highlights companies including Saab UK in Fareham and Leonardo UK in Edinburgh as part of the broader British industrial contribution.

The announcement adds to wider UK military backing for Ukraine, including a commitment to deliver 150,000 drones and thousands of air defence missiles this year. Britain is also providing £3 billion in military support to Ukraine this year and continues to co-lead the Ukraine Defence Contact Group as part of international efforts to equip Kyiv for its defence and what London describes as a lasting peace.

Gripen aircraft are already interoperable with NATO forces and have operated alongside UK aircraft before. Last summer, Swedish Gripens deployed with the Royal Air Force in Poland during NATO’s air policing mission, underlining the platform’s compatibility with allied operations.

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