Gripens, Rafales, and drones empire: Ukraine’s multi-front push to reshape its defence in 2026

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on 8 February that Ukraine has secured agreements for the delivery of 250 brand-new combat aircraft from international partners, marking a major step toward modernising the nation’s Air Force amid ongoing conflict.

Speaking during an engaging discussion with students and faculty at the Kyiv Aviation Institute, Zelenskyy revealed that the deals include 150 Swedish JAS 39 Gripen fighters and 100 French Dassault Rafale jets. He described these platforms as, in Ukraine’s view, the best fighter aircraft in the world, emphasizing their advanced capabilities and the fact that they will be newly built rather than drawn from existing stocks.

On the occasion of the 120th anniversary of aircraft designer Oleg Antonov’s birth, I granted the State University “Kyiv Aviation Institute” national status. I visited the institute and spoke with students and faculty. Over 400 students from various departments attended. Thank… pic.twitter.com/gmjVugjTlf
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 6, 2026

This ambitious procurement aligns with Zelenskyy’s long-term vision for a revitalised air component within the Defence Forces. He has previously outlined plans for a fleet approaching 250 modern fighters, incorporating lessons from Ukrainian pilots’ experiences with Western-supplied aircraft like the F-16s, which Ukraine already operates but which are not new models.

The incoming Gripens and Rafales promise to significantly enhance air superiority, enable more effective defence against Russian aerial threats, and allow for greater unification and modernization of the fleet, which has long relied on outdated Soviet-era platforms. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2026, building on earlier letters of intent: one signed with Sweden in October 2025 for up to 150 Gripens, and another with France in November 2025 for up to 100 Rafales, alongside additional air defence systems like SAMP-T batteries, radars, and other weaponry.

Zelenskyy stressed that military aviation remains a top priority in wartime conditions, while civil aviation development will follow once peace is achieved. He noted ongoing close coordination with Air Force command and military leadership, assuring that the tangible benefits of these efforts will emerge progressively.

The agreements represent one of the largest potential military aviation deals in Ukraine’s history and could position its Air Force as having one of the world’s largest Gripen fleets.

Beyond aviation, Zelenskyy highlighted Ukraine’s expanding role in global defence technology. He announced the opening of arms export centers across Europe, with ten such centers planned to operate by the end of 2026, particularly in the Baltic and Northern European regions. This initiative follows his October 2025 directive to the Defence Ministry to commence controlled exports of surplus Ukrainian weapons starting in November 2025. Profits from these exports will help fund urgently needed acquisitions, reflecting a strategic shift toward internationalising production and reducing dependency on external aid.

A key example is the drone sector, where Ukraine’s capabilities have surged since the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022. Over 200 companies now produce low-cost, highly adaptable drones that have reshaped modern warfare. Zelenskyy revealed that production of Ukrainian-designed drones will commence in Germany in mid-February 2026, with him personally set to receive the first unit from a fully operational line. Similar lines already function in the United Kingdom, all based on Ukrainian technology and expertise. He emphasized that Europe’s security increasingly relies on such advanced drones and technologies, much of which originates from Ukraine.

These developments occur against the backdrop of intensified Russian aggression. On the night of 9 February Russian forces launched a massive assault involving 149 Shahed, Gerbera, Italmas, and other drones, plus 11 Iskander-M ballistic missiles. Ukrainian air defences, involving aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare units, unmanned systems, and mobile fire groups, neutralized 116 drones and intercepted some missiles. Despite these successes, strikes hit 15 sites, with debris falling at six others, and the attack persisted into the morning with remaining drones in Ukrainian airspace.

Civilian areas bore the brunt in places like Odesa and Kharkiv, where overnight Russian strikes killed at least three people and injured others. In Odesa, Iranian-made drones caused fires, damaged apartment buildings and a gas pipeline, claiming one life. In Bohodukhiv, a mother and her 10-year-old son perished in a residential drone strike, with six more wounded.

Zelenskyy reiterated that Russian energy infrastructure constitutes a legitimate target for Ukrainian forces, as it funds Moscow’s weapons production. He equated striking energy facilities with targeting military assets directly, countering Russia’s campaign of winter weaponization against Ukrainian grids.

Separately, The Ukrainian president indicated that the United States has set another deadline for peace negotiations, proposing an end to the war by June, potentially tied to domestic political considerations.

Sources: Suspilne, Kyiv Independent, Reuters, Guardian

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Caption:On the occasion of the 120th anniversary of aircraft designer Oleg Antonov’s birth, Volodymyr Zelenskyy granted the State University “Kyiv Aviation Institute” national status. [The President of Ukraine on X]