Sweden will provide Ukraine with a 9.2-billion Swedish kronor ($989-million) military support package, which includes the procurement of an additional 18 Archer self-propelled artillery systems.
In addition to the 155mm guns, the country’s 20th support package for Ukraine includes artillery rounds and long-range drones worth 3.6 billion kronor ($388 million).
Ukraine has so far received eight Archer artillery systems from Sweden, with an additional 18 pledged under Stockholm’s 18th military support package announced in March.
Unlike the first batch drawn from Swedish Army stocks, the 36 additional units will be procured directly from Swedish industry.
“Sweden is now increasing its military support to Ukraine to put greater pressure on Russia. More Archers, drones, and ammunition will make a difference on the battlefield. Europe’s right to peace and freedom must be defended,” Swedish Minister for Defence Pål Jonson said.
Additional Military Systems
Under the latest package for Ukraine, Stockholm will also procure marine systems, including surveillance radars, tross boats armed with grenade launchers, diving chambers, and crane trucks, valued at 2.1 billion kronor ($226 million).
It also provides for the procurement of ammunition, sensors, and command-and-control systems for the previously donated Tridon anti-aircraft system.
The air defense systems, along with equipment for air base operations, drone-detection sensors, and robotic systems, are valued at 3.5 billion kronor ($377 million).
The Swedish Armed Forces are also contributing material donations in this category, which will be replenished accordingly and include transportation costs.
Military Procurement as Donation
Explaining the shift toward procuring equipment from industry rather than drawing on existing stocks, the Swedish Ministry of Defense stated that the country’s “own security situation and rearmament of its national defence has meant that this possibility has steadily diminished.”
“Instead, the procurement of newly produced defence materiel from Sweden’s extensive defence industry is now the Government’s most effective tool, particularly because Swedish products are in high demand in Ukraine.”
