The Sweden Democrat-backed center-right government announced today that Sweden will send a 16th military aid package to Ukraine – the largest so far.
The arms delivery is valued at 13.3 billion SEK (€1.16 billion) and includes aircraft, armored vehicles, combat robots and artillery shells, among other items.
“Ukraine’s needs remain high and Russia is currently pressuring Ukraine on several fronts. Russia is intensifying its airstrikes against both military and civilian targets. The Government is therefore supporting Ukraine with another record-breaking military assistance package. The Swedish support contributes to strengthening Ukraine’s overall military capabilities”, according to a press release.
The package includes two ASC 890 radar reconnaissance aircraft with associated equipment and training, the Rb 99 fighter, 155 mm artillery rounds, all 302 Swedish armored personnel carriers and armored vehicles from the Swedish Armed Forces’ “surplus”.
“Sweden will transfer radar surveillance and command aircraft (ASC 890) to Ukraine to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense capabilities. Sweden is donating the entire Swedish stock of armored personnel carriers 302 (Pbv 302) to support the establishment of new Ukrainian army brigades. Sweden is also donating artillery ammunition and providing funds for the maintenance of previously donated equipment”, they added.
No limit to Swedish support
Sweden has already donated about SEK 43.5 billion (€3.78 billion) in military aid, and it also admits that the “transfer” of Swedish aircraft with radar surveillance and command and control capabilities “will lead to a temporary decline in Swedish defense capabilities”, but that this will eventually be solved by Sweden purchasing other aircraft.
Fighter missiles donated to Ukraine will also be replaced by newly purchased ones, it is announced – and the same applies to artillery shells and military vehicles sent to the war.
According to the center-right government, there is no limit to Sweden’s aid to Ukraine – and it will continue to send arms and money to the country “as long as necessary” – according to Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
Other Swedish politicians have begun to use even more bellicose rhetoric, such as Liberal EU candidate Simona Mohamsson, who is open to sending Swedish soldiers to fight against Russia.
– I perceive that we are already in a full-scale war. The war that is going on is a war against us, even if it is not on our soil, she recently claimed.
Yesterday, I spoke with @SwedishPM Ulf Kristersson about the current battlefield situation and Ukraine’s priority defense needs.
Today, I am glad to express my profound gratitude to Prime Minister Kristersson, his government, and all Swedes for Sweden’s largest military aid…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 29, 2024
