Kenneth Glad
Another step is taking shape in the air war as Ukraine prepares to expand its options. Longer-range weapons would make Russian strike planning more complicated.
Ukraine is expected to receive its first Swedish Gripen fighter jets in early 2027, according to The Guardian.
The British newspaper reports that Sweden plans to donate 16 Gripens. The aircraft can carry Meteor missiles, giving Ukraine a weapon designed to hit enemy aircraft beyond visual range and challenge Russian jets before they approach the front.
Meteor changes the range problem
The War Zone writes that Meteor is one of the key reasons the Gripen transfer matters. The missile is built for long-distance air combat, with a reported reach of up to 200 kilometers.
Russia has used Su-35 and MiG-31 jets with R-37M missiles to threaten Ukrainian aircraft from long distances.
That has often forced Ukrainian pilots to operate under pressure before they can safely engage.
Meteor would give Ukrainian pilots a stronger answer to that danger. It would also raise the risk for Russian aircraft launching glide bombs near the front, where Moscow’s crews have often relied on distance to reduce their exposure.
Ukraine has adapted under pressure
The Royal Aeronautical Society’s AEROSPACE says that Ukraine’s air force endured the invasion’s first phase despite Russia’s larger fleet and repeated strikes on airbases.
One French Navy Rafale pilot told AEROSPACE: “The Ukrainian Air force did a rather good job protecting its human resources during the first stage of the war.”
That survival was not only a matter of aircraft. Ukraine dispersed jets, protected crews and adjusted tactics while continuing to defend airspace and support ground operations.
Western aircraft bring new demands
Ukraine has already begun integrating Western aircraft, including F-16s and Mirage 2000s.
Gripen would add another system, likely requiring new training, maintenance routines and coordination with radar and command aircraft.
Experts cited by AEROSPACE warns that Russian S-300 and S-400 air defenses remain a major danger. A Turkish F-16 expert told the outlet: “The aircraft itself is not the most important factor – the decisive element is the weapon and its capability.”
That is why the Gripen plan is about more than aircraft numbers. Its impact depends on missiles, tactics, electronic warfare and whether Ukraine can keep jets operating under Russian attack.
If the schedule holds, Gripen and Meteor would not guarantee air superiority. They would, however, make the airspace more dangerous for Russian crews that have long relied on distance as protection.
Sources: The War Zone, The Guardian, AEROSPACE
