Ministry of Defense explains how Gripen with Meteor missiles will strengthen Ukrainian aviation

Ukraine expects the first batch of Swedish JAS 39 Gripen fighters together with Meteor long-range air-to-air missiles within the next 10 months; this will be a significant reinforcement of the Air Force and will give Ukraine more opportunities to counter russian aviation and guided aerial bombs.

The Ministry of Defense has announced this, Ukrainian News Agency reports.

According to the agreement with the Swedish government, Ukraine will purchase up to 20 fourth-generation JAS 39 Gripen multi-role fighters of the E modification, and Ukraine will receive another 16 aircraft of the C/D versions as military aid.

The Ministry of Defense notes that it is important that the first batch of Gripen will arrive together with Meteor missiles.

The Ministry notes that guided aerial bombs remain one of the biggest challenges for the Defense Forces.

The enemy’s tactical aviation – mainly Su-34 and Su-35 – drops these bombs, remaining out of reach of Ukrainian anti-aircraft weapons.

Gripen aircraft with Meteor missiles can help push russian aviation to a greater distance and reduce the enemy’s ability to massively use aerial bombs.

Meteor is a long-range air-to-air missile manufactured by the European concern MBDA.

It has a range of over 100 km, and the maximum range can reach up to 200 km.

The missile is capable of reaching a speed of 4,600 km per hour.

The ministry notes that the Meteor is equipped with an active radar homing head and a ramjet engine.

This allows it to maintain high speed throughout its flight path and effectively engage air targets at long ranges.

As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, the Office of the President previously announced that Ukraine would purchase 20 Gripen E/F modification fighters from Sweden for EUR 2.5 billion from the European Union loan under the Ukraine Support Loan program.

Sweden also intends to transfer 16 Gripen C/D fighters as part of bilateral assistance.

In October 2025, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine expects to receive the first Swedish Gripen fighter jets as early as 2026.

Ukraine and Sweden intend to sign a contract for the production and delivery to Kyiv of 100 to 150 fourth-generation JAS 39 Gripen multi-role fighter jets.