Sweden has entered into a contract with MBDA UK for the procurement of additional Meteor active radar-guided missiles, which will enhance the capabilities of the Swedish Armed Forces’ JAS 39 Gripen C/D supersonic combat aircraft. The Meteor missile has been in operational use by Sweden since 2016, and it is currently deployed across various military platforms, including the Gripen, Rafale, and Eurofighter fleets.
MBDA, the manufacturer behind the advanced Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) system, is expected to deliver these additional warheads later this year. The procurement is aimed at further bolstering Sweden’s air defense capabilities, both on a national level and in coordination with NATO efforts. Martin Anderberg, Head of Combat Aircraft Systems at the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration, emphasized that this is the third additional order for the Meteor system placed by the administration for the Swedish Armed Forces.
The Meteor missile, which is co-developed by Sweden in collaboration with the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain, features innovative technology that allows it to function as a “wingman” for aircraft. This capability enables the missile to work in tandem with a plane’s sensors and support systems to efficiently identify and neutralize airborne threats. Once activated, the missile employs a high-explosive multi-shot fragmentation effect that empowers it to engage multiple targets simultaneously.
Meteor’s operational performance is underpinned by its solid-fuel ramjet propulsion system, which allows it to achieve a cruise speed exceeding Mach 4 (approximately 4,939 kilometers or 3,069 miles per hour), effectively rendering it immune to many conventional countermeasures. The missile itself weighs in at 190 kilograms (419 pounds) and has a length of 3.7 meters (12.1 feet) with a diameter of 178 millimeters (7 inches). It boasts an impressive operational range of up to 200 kilometers (124 miles), making it a formidable asset in Sweden’s air defense strategy.
