The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has signed a production order contract with the UK Ministry of Defence for the Meteor missile, which will equip the JAS39 Gripen.

The Meteor will significantly increase Gripen’s capability to operate against air targets at long distances.

A Beyond Visual Range Air to Air Missile, Meteor is resistant to electronic countermeasures and also radar-guided. It is powered by a ramjet engine and can adjust thrust, speed and range during flight.

The missile subsystems will be produced in Sweden during the production phase and the final assembly will take place in the UK.

The Meteor missile system is expected to be operational within the Swedish Air Force in 2015.