The Ministry said the combination will provide a major boost to the Ukrainian Air Force. It is expected to improve Ukraine’s ability to counter Russian aviation and glide bombs, also known as guided bomb units.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy initiated the signing of an agreement with the Swedish Government under which Ukraine will procure up to 20 JAS 39 Gripen E multirole fighter aircraft. An additional 16 Gripen C/D aircraft will be provided to Ukraine as military assistance.
The first batch of Gripen aircraft is expected to arrive with Meteor missiles. The Ministry said this combination will eventually extend Ukraine’s engagement range against aerial targets and increase pressure on Russian aviation.
Ukraine said this is particularly relevant to Russian aircraft launching glide bombs against Ukrainian positions and cities. Glide bombs remain one of the greatest challenges facing Ukraine’s Defence Forces.
Russian tactical aircraft, mainly Su-34 and Su-35 jets, release these bombs while staying outside the range of Ukrainian air defence systems. Gripen aircraft armed with Meteor missiles could help push Russian aviation farther from the front line and reduce its ability to conduct mass glide bomb attacks.
Meteor is a long-range air-to-air missile developed by European defence company MBDA. The missile has an engagement range of more than 100 kilometres and a maximum range of up to 200 kilometres.
The Ministry said Meteor can reach speeds of around 4,600 kilometres per hour. It is equipped with an active radar seeker and a ramjet engine.
Those features allow the missile to maintain high speed throughout its flight and engage aerial targets effectively at long range. The Ministry said this makes Meteor one of the most capable long-range air-to-air missiles in its class.
Gripen aircraft armed with Meteor missiles could create a persistent threat to Russian glide bomb carriers, particularly Su-34 aircraft. Ukraine said this could force them to operate farther away from the front line.
The Ministry said Gripen is suited to the demands of modern warfare. It noted that the aircraft is designed for rapid operations from various operational airfields.
This is important for Ukraine because of the constant threat of strikes against infrastructure. The Ministry said Gripen will enhance Air Force capabilities and support a more resilient and layered air defence system.
Ukraine thanked the people and Government of Sweden for their consistent and steadfast support in strengthening Ukraine’s defence. It also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Minister for Defence Pål Jonson for their leadership in supporting Ukraine.
The Ministry said Ukraine will continue working with partners to advance modern air defence capabilities. It said this forms part of a comprehensive approach to maintaining the initiative across the warfare domains outlined in Ukraine’s defence strategy.
