Swedish JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets may be equipped with APKWS rockets as a low-cost means of countering unmanned aerial vehicles. Saab is currently considering this weapon integration option for its aircraft.
This was stated by Saab's Air Domain Operational Advisor, Jussi Halmetoja, during a discussion on lessons learned from the war in Ukraine with Mikael Franzén, Marketing Director of the Gripen program. Franzén emphasized that fighter aircraft need to be equipped with genuinely affordable weapons for counter-UAV missions, noting that "right now, we are using very expensive weapons to destroy very cheap drones," as quoted by Business Insider.
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Franzén also noted that Saab aims in the future to equip Gripen fighters with systems that would allow multiple munitions to be mounted on a single hardpoint. It can be cautiously assumed that this refers to plans to integrate multi-round launchers on the fighter, similar to those used for launching APKWS rockets.
At this stage, it remains unknown when exactly Gripen aircraft might gain the capability to employ APKWS rockets. It is also possible that Saab may ultimately opt for an alternative solution, including other similar systems such as the French-made FZ275 LGR from Thales, which is also used in Ukraine. However, the manufacturer acknowledged last autumn that it has struggled to keep pace with demand for these rockets.
Importantly, if Gripen ultimately receives APKWS integration, the rockets would be deployed not only on the latest E/F variants but also on the older C/D versions. This is particularly relevant for Ukraine, both in the context of the planned acquisition of 150 aircraft and given that the first Gripens expected to enter Ukrainian Air Force service are likely to be used C/D variants.
APKWS rockets have gained notable popularity following their extensive combat use in Ukraine. At the same time, it should be noted that the United States has been pursuing the integration of APKWS on combat aircraft, primarily fighters, since as early as 2019. Last year, video footage appeared for the first time showing APKWS II rockets launched from a fighter jet destroying Houthi drones.
Several months ago, it also became known that Ukrainian F-16 fighters have gained the capability to launch APKWS II rockets, which is particularly relevant for countering Geran/Shahed-type drones. Target designation is provided by an external targeting pod, most likely the AN/AAQ-33 Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod.
Previously, Defense Express also reported that BAE Systems is considering integrating APKWS rockets on Eurofighter Typhoon fighters, with company representatives at the time even stating that the project could be given priority.
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