Sweden is sending a further 18 Archer artillery pieces to Ukraine, in addition to the 8 pieces previously sent. This was announced by Minister of Defense Pål Jonson (M) at a press conference in the Bofors industrial area.
The total cost of the new package, which also includes five radar systems for artillery localization, is estimated at €270 million. It is part of an earlier military aid package to Ukraine presented in January.
Yesterday, the Swedish government announced that it is also increasing aid to Ukraine by a further €125 million, part of a total of €700 million planned for 2025.
The Swedish government, like several other EU countries, describes its support to Ukraine as a strategy to prevent Russia from expanding into other European countries.
– Our assessment is that Ukraine is also a shield for Russian military expansion, says Pål Jonson, who says the Swedish government remains “very focused on increasing and intensifying support for Ukraine”.
– The Ukrainians are defending both their own and our freedom and security, explains Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa.
Sweden’s support to the Ukrainian war now totals around SEK 61.9 billion (€5.6 billion), roughly equivalent to the state budget allocation for pensions, which is just under SEK 60 billion.
Facts: Archer
Archer is a self-propelled artillery system with eight-meter-long gun barrels mounted on trucks, manufactured by Bofors in Karlskoga.
The system has been in use by the Swedish Armed Forces since 2013. It can be rapidly deployed, quickly fired, and offers high precision, with a maximum range of 30–50 kilometers.