Ukrainian Gripen Fighters To Arrive In 2027, Long-Range Meteor Missiles Claimed To Be Included
The War Zone • • world
Key Points:
- Sweden will donate up to 16 secondhand Saab Gripen C/D fighter jets to Ukraine, with deliveries expected to begin in early 2027, and pilot training already underway.
- Ukraine plans to acquire up to 20 advanced Gripen E/F fighters in the longer term, financed by a $2.9 billion EU loan, with negotiations ongoing and deliveries targeted by 2030.
- The Gripen jets will be equipped with Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles, significantly enhancing Ukraine's air combat capabilities against Russian aircraft armed with long-range missiles like the R-37M.
- The Gripen platform is well-suited to Ukraine’s decentralized, mobile warfare style, designed for rapid turnaround and operation from dispersed locations under wartime conditions.
- Swedish Saab 340 AEW&C aircraft equipped with Erieye radar will support Ukrainian Gripens by providing airborne early warning and mid-course missile guidance, improving target tracking and engagement efficiency.