PARIS / STOCKHOLM — France and Sweden have begun engineering work to integrate France’s rocket-assisted AASM Hammer precision-guided bombs with Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter aircraft intended for Ukraine.
The development was reported by French Aid to Europe, citing French newspaper Le Figaro. The integration is being carried out by Sweden’s Saab, the manufacturer of the Gripen, and French defense company Safran Electronics & Defense, which develops the AASM Hammer.
AASM Hammer Integration
The work includes adapting the weapon to the Gripen’s weapon stations, weapon-management systems and digital interfaces used to transfer targeting information. The integration would allow Ukrainian Gripens to use a precision weapon already operated by Ukrainian forces.
Ukraine has previously adapted the AASM Hammer for its MiG-29 fighters and Su-25 attack aircraft. The weapon is also used on French Rafale fighters.
The AASM Hammer, or Armement Air-Sol Modulaire, is a modular guidance and range-extension system that converts standard unguided bombs into precision-guided weapons. It is available for 125 kg, 250 kg, 500 kg and 1,000 kg bomb bodies, including Mk 82, Mk 83, Mk 84 and BLU-109 warheads.
Safran offers three main guidance configurations: INS/GPS, INS/GPS with infrared guidance, and INS/GPS with laser guidance. The system uses a solid-fuel rocket motor for additional propulsion after release. Safran states that the baseline system has a range of more than 70 km, depending on configuration and launch conditions.
Safran is also developing the Hammer 250 XLR and Hammer 1000 XLR extended-range variants.
Sweden’s Gripen Plans for Ukraine
The AASM integration comes as Sweden expands its planned Gripen support for Ukraine.
In May 2026, Sweden announced plans to provide Ukraine with 16 Gripen C/D fighters free of charge. In June 2026, Sweden and Ukraine signed a contract for 16 new Gripen E fighters, with deliveries expected to begin in early 2029.
Ukraine and Saab are also discussing a potential larger arrangement involving up to 150 Gripen aircraft. Longer-term cooperation includes plans to localize Gripen production in Ukraine, including aircraft assembly and component manufacturing. The localization is not expected to begin before 2033.
Ukrainian pilots and technical personnel are already undergoing Gripen-related training in Sweden.
If the AASM Hammer integration is completed, Ukraine’s future Gripen fleet will have access to an additional precision air-to-ground weapon already familiar to its forces.
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