As part of a video conference meeting between the defense ministers of both countries, Sweden has held talks with Ukraine to pave the way for a delivery of MBDA Meteor air-to-air missiles to equip the Ukrainian Air Force’s future Gripen E fighters, seeking to provide a “key tool” to shoot down enemy threats. This point is part of a broader military assistance package under discussion between Kyiv and Stockholm, which the parties have described as one of the most significant to have been sent to the country defending itself from the Russian invasion.
Echoing what Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence stated on the matter: “In addition, during the conversation (Ed. note: between Ministers Mykhailo Fedorov and Pål Jonson), issues related to the aviation component were discussed in detail, in particular the possibility of supplying Gripen aircraft and transferring Meteor missiles, which are key tools for countering enemy aircraft.” It was also noted that the discussion between officials addressed issues such as proposals for joint production of materiel, subsidies for industrial actors, and the delivery of air-defense weaponry under the PURL initiative.
Returning specifically to what appears to be the future delivery of Gripen fighters to the Ukrainian Air Force, it is worth recalling that Kyiv announced in late December that its pilots and technical personnel had begun their training process, seeking to speed up the aircraft’s induction timeline. According to reports available so far, the country aims to field a fleet of 150 new combat aircraft, which would reinforce a force that currently operates F-16 and Mirage 2000-5 fighters provided by various Western allies.
Along those lines, it is also worth recalling that President Volodymyr Zelensky even visited Swedish territory last year, on which occasion he signed the corresponding Letter of Intent for 150 Gripen fighters—representing the first formal step in the process for the aircraft to reach Ukrainian hands. At that time, the aircraft had already completed preliminary evaluations carried out by the Ukrainian Air Force, in which its ability to operate from austere environments and with low maintenance costs was highlighted, along with its compatibility with a broad range of European and U.S. weapons.
Moreover, Saab has stated that its production facilities would be ready to begin work on manufacturing this significant number of aircraft, even noting that efforts were underway to increase the production rate, currently estimated at between 20 and 30 aircraft per year. In addition, the company indicated it would be willing to establish new industrial partnerships both in Europe and in Canada to further accelerate the process—something that, in the latter case, could influence Ottawa’s decision regarding the modernization of its own fighter fleet.
Images used for illustrative purposes
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