Ukraine expects to receive 250 new Gripen and Rafale fighter jets

Katerina Melnychenko
Katerina Melnychenko Deputy Editor-in-Chief
Ukraine expects to receive 250 new Gripen and Rafale fighter jets
Saab_JAS_39_Gripen_at_Kaivopuisto_Air_Show,_June_2017_(altered)_copy JAS 39 Gripen — Wikipedia
Ukraine is betting on a large-scale upgrade of its combat aviation to significantly strengthen the Air Force and the state's defence capabilities.

Ukraine has agreements with international partners to supply 150 new Swedish Gripen fighter jets and 100 French Rafale fighter jets. This was announced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a meeting with students and teachers at the Kyiv Aviation Institute.

The head of state stressed that strengthening the aviation component of the Defence Forces is one of the key priorities for the country. According to him, he is in constant contact with the Air Force command and military leadership, and the results of this work should already be noticeable in practice.

Zelensky emphasised that he was referring specifically to new aircraft. He called the Gripen and Rafale some of the best combat aircraft in the world and noted that their delivery would significantly expand the capabilities of Ukrainian aviation. At the same time, the President recalled that Ukraine already uses F-16 fighter jets, but these aircraft are not new.

According to the head of state, receiving modern combat aircraft from partners will increase the effectiveness of the Air Force, particularly in air defence and protecting Ukrainian airspace.

Earlier, Zelensky also discussed with French Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Catherine Vautrin the issue of strengthening Ukrainian air defence and the supply of Mirage and Rafale aircraft.

Share tittle
Politics
Ihor Skybyuk is to become the new Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Politics

Ihor Skybyuk is to become the new Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Major General Ihor Skybyuk is to become the new Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The personnel decisions regarding the reshuffle of the military leadership are due to be formalised on 22 July.

22.07.2026
Production of British L119 howitzers is set to begin in Ukraine
Politics

Production of British L119 howitzers is set to begin in Ukraine

The British company BAE Systems is to begin licensed production of L119 105-mm howitzers directly in Ukraine. The agreement was signed at the Farnborough International Airshow.

22.07.2026
Moldova has approved Tofan’s government, which is committed to EU accession
Politics

Moldova has approved Tofan’s government, which is committed to EU accession

The Moldovan Parliament has expressed its confidence in the new government led by the financier Vasile Tofan. The Cabinet of Ministers has pledged to revitalise the economy, reduce the budget deficit and prepare the country for accession to the European Union.

22.07.2026
Mykhailo Drapatiy is wanted by the Russian Federation: what is he accused of?
Politics

Mykhailo Drapatiy is wanted by the Russian Federation: what is he accused of?

Mykhailo Drapatiy, whom President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed as the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, is on the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs’ wanted list. However, Russia added the Ukrainian general to the list back in September 2023, rather than following the announcement of personnel changes within the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

22.07.2026
Volodymyr Horbatyuk may be appointed head of the General Staff: no official decision has yet been made
Politics

Volodymyr Horbatyuk may be appointed head of the General Staff: no official decision has yet been made

Volodymyr Horbatyuk, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, is being touted as a possible successor to Andriy Gnativ. However, as of the time of publication, no official appointment has been made.

22.07.2026
International Relations
Over 40 per cent of Poles consider military aid to Ukraine to be excessive
International Relations

Over 40 per cent of Poles consider military aid to Ukraine to be excessive

Almost 45 per cent of Poles believe that Poland provided too much military aid to Ukraine following the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. At the same time, over a third of those surveyed described the level of support as adequate.

09.07.2026
A bas-relief has been stolen from Bohdan Lepky’s grave in Kraków
International Relations

A bas-relief has been stolen from Bohdan Lepky’s grave in Kraków

On the night of 5 July, at the Rakowicki Cemetery in Kraków, unknown individuals stole a bronze bas-relief from the gravestone of the Ukrainian writer, poet and public figure Bohdan Lepkyi. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has described the incident as a deliberate provocation aimed at worsening Ukrainian-Polish relations

05.07.2026
Tusk called on Poland to refrain from making any new financial commitments to Ukraine
Politics

Tusk called on Poland to refrain from making any new financial commitments to Ukraine

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has urged the Polish delegation not to agree to any new financial commitments regarding Ukraine during the NATO summit. According to him, Warsaw is already spending significant resources on supporting Kyiv and defending the European Union’s eastern border

05.07.2026
Tusk: Ukraine is looking for ways to ease tensions with Poland
Politics

Tusk: Ukraine is looking for ways to ease tensions with Poland

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has stated that Ukraine is seeking ways to ease tensions in its relations with Warsaw. According to him, this is indicated by signals following talks between the two countries’ foreign ministers

04.07.2026
There is a proposal to include the Volyn tragedy in the report on Ukraine’s accession to the EU
International Relations

There is a proposal to include the Volyn tragedy in the report on Ukraine’s accession to the EU

У Європейському парламенті розглянуть поправки до звіту про прогрес України на шляху до членства в Європейському Союзі, які стосуються Волинської трагедії, діяльності Української повстанської армії (УПА) та історичного примирення між Україною і Польщею.

03.07.2026
War
Oleksandr Syrskyi is stepping down as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and has summarised his work
War

Oleksandr Syrskyi is stepping down as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and has summarised his work

General Oleksandr Syrskyi announced that on 22 July he would be stepping down from his post as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, a position he had held for almost two and a half years. In his closing address, he recalled the key stages of the war and the army’s achievements, and stated that he was handing over to his successor an army that is currently on the offensive.

22.07.2026
‘Madyar’ explained why Ukraine is not currently carrying out strikes on the Crimean Bridge
War

‘Madyar’ explained why Ukraine is not currently carrying out strikes on the Crimean Bridge

Robert ‘Madyar’ Brovdi, Commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Unmanned Systems Forces, explained why the Ukrainian military is deliberately refraining from striking the Crimean Bridge.

22.07.2026
Russian troops have attacked nine regions of Ukraine; there have been fatalities and dozens of people have been injured
War

Russian troops have attacked nine regions of Ukraine; there have been fatalities and dozens of people have been injured

Over the past 24 hours, Russian troops have continued to shell Ukrainian regions. The attacks have resulted in deaths and injuries, and damage to residential buildings, infrastructure, civilian businesses and transport.

22.07.2026
US allies in the Middle East are calling on Trump to launch a ground invasion of Iran
War

US allies in the Middle East are calling on Trump to launch a ground invasion of Iran

The war between the US and Iran is heightening concerns amongst Washington’s allies in the Persian Gulf over threats to security and the economy. According to Bloomberg, countries in the region no longer share a unified position on the United States’ next steps.

22.07.2026
In Russia, less than half of the oil refineries damaged in the drone attacks have resumed operations
War

In Russia, less than half of the oil refineries damaged in the drone attacks have resumed operations

Russian oil companies have managed to bring back into operation less than half of the capacity of the oil refineries that were damaged as a result of drone attacks. Some of the larger facilities remain shut down.

22.07.2026