President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a letter of intent on defense cooperation and exports with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Linköping on Wednesday.

The letter of intent will lay the groundwork for future purchases of Swedish Gripen fighter aircraft, according to the two.

“This is the beginning of a new journey,” Kristersson said.

Linköping, where the press conference was held, is also where Saab manufactures the Gripen, with one of the jets standing in the background behind the two.

While both hinted at a certain number of Gripens to be transferred – likely purchased by Kyiv – in the future, the exact quantity and timeline have not been determined.

Zelensky said “no fewer than 100” is expected in the deal before adding that financing is also an important issue.

Kristersson said Kyiv could begin receiving the new E-Series Gripen jets “within three years,” as production has only just been established and they officially entered Swedish service just days ago. He added that Ukraine could receive 100 to 150 aircraft over the next 10 to 15 years.

Kristersson said Sweden is “committed to exploring all the possibilities” of transferring Gripens, emphasizing the document signed on Wednesday focuses on the “long-term” cooperation between Ukraine and Sweden, which also includes technological exchange.

Previously, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense said it was in talks with Sweden’s aerospace firm Saab to upgrade its Soviet-era jets.

Zelensky also named Gripen as among the “three best platforms” alongside US fighter jets and the French Rafales.

Kristersson also hinted at discussions on frozen Russian assets to take place on Thursday in Brussels, likely referring to Europe’s proposed “reparations loans” to rebuild Ukraine in the long term by mobilizing Russia’s frozen assets in Europe.

According to Zelensky, the two also touched on energy and air defense.

In terms of energy, Zelensky said the two discussed the possibility of recovery and the finances needed to secure natural gas supplies for the winter, noting another major Russian attack that struck Ukraine’s energy system earlier the same day.

In terms of air defense, Zelensky said the two discussed the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) program, in which NATO countries – including Sweden – have pledged to purchase US weaponry for Ukraine. Zelensky said he thanked Sweden for its support.