how many jas 39 pilots are being trained in ukraine
There is no confirmed public number of how many JAS 39 Gripen pilots are specifically being trained in Ukraine at this time. The available information only says that Ukrainian pilots have started and in some cases completed orientation/familiarization training on the JAS 39, but does not give a concrete count of how many individuals are currently in training in Ukraine.
What we know so far
Training has begun, but numbers are not disclosed
- Multiple sources confirm that Ukrainian pilots and technical personnel are already training on the Swedish JAS 39 Gripen , both in introductory (“familiarization”) stages and orientation phases.
- Swedish officials and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy have stated that several Ukrainian pilots have begun or completed training on the Gripen, but they have never published an exact figure.
Where the training is happening
- The training program was formally assigned to the Swedish Armed Forces in 2023, implying that at least part of the training is taking place in Sweden or together with Swedish instructors , not necessarily entirely inside Ukraine.
- Some reports mention “familiarization training” and “orientation training” without specifying the country, so it is likely that some pilots train abroad (e.g., in Sweden) while others may do ground-based or simulator work in Ukraine.
Context: planned Gripen deliveries
- In May 2026, Sweden announced it will transfer 16 used Gripen C/D jets to Ukraine and sell 20 new Gripen E/F variants, with Ukrainian pilots already in training to operate them.
- Ukraine trained nearly 100 cadet pilots in total in 2025 across all aviation types, but this figure includes F-16, drone, and other aircraft trainees, not just Gripen pilots.
Why there is no exact number
- The exact number of Gripen pilots is treated as a sensitive operational detail and has not been publicly disclosed by either Ukraine or Sweden.
- Public statements consistently use vague terms like “several pilots,” “a group of pilots,” or “Ukrainian pilots have begun training,” without quantifying how many individuals are involved.
Bottom line
As of mid‑2026:
- Ukrainian pilots are definitely training on JAS 39 Gripen aircraft.
- No official source has published how many JAS 39 pilots are currently being trained in Ukraine (or in total, including overseas).
- The best available public estimate is that the number is in the range of “several” to perhaps a few dozen , but any precise figure would be speculative.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.