Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is actively engaged in securing advanced fighter jets, with recent letters of interest pointing towards the acquisition of up to 250 aircraft. This includes 150 Swedish Gripen-E fighters, a deal that could make Ukraine the world’s largest operator of this advanced aircraft. Additionally, Ukraine has signaled its intent to purchase 100 French Rafale fighter jets, a move that would position Kyiv as the leading foreign customer for the Rafale.
These expressions of interest, however, are preliminary and do not constitute binding agreements. The history of major defense deals, such as India’s protracted negotiations for Rafales, highlights the complexities involved. India’s initial intention to acquire 126 Rafales, including licensed manufacturing and technology transfer, ultimately fell through due to pricing disputes and industrial offset disagreements, leading to a much smaller purchase of 36 aircraft. The question remains whether Ukraine’s current letters of interest will successfully navigate similar hurdles to result in finalized contracts.