Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has ordered an additional batch of MBDA Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles for use by the nation’s Saab Gripen fighters.
“The additional procurement of Meteor is part of further increasing the Swedish armed forces’ air defence capabilities both nationally and as part of NATO,” says Martin Anderberg, head of combat aircraft systems at the FMV.
“Delivery will take place as early as 2025,” the procurement body says, pointing to an accelerated schedule enabled by “effective cooperation between FMV, the British authority and MBDA UK”.
It has not disclosed how many of the weapons will be supplied, or provided a value for the contract, but notes that the commitment is the “third additional order for the system” since its introduction to service in Sweden in 2016.
The ramjet-powered, radar-guided missile is currently carried by the Swedish air force’s Gripen C/Ds, with the type also to be used by its incoming fleet of 60 Gripen Es.
Up to eight Gripen Cs from the service’s F21 Wing will depart Lulea air base next month for a three-month air policing detachment in Poland: Sweden’s first such commitment since becoming a NATO member in March 2024.
