The Swedish government has announced a new military support package for Ukraine. This is the largest package to date, worth just over SEK 13 billion. The package includes, among other things, aircraft and armoured vehicles.
This was reported by Sydsvenskan and cited by the press service of the country's Ministry of Defence.
Today's package of military support is the sixteenth from Sweden since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Sweden will provide ASC 890 long-range radar reconnaissance and control aircraft.
It is noted that the ASC 890 aircraft provide Ukraine with completely new capabilities for radar reconnaissance and combat control of targets in the air and at sea. It is expected to enhance Ukraine's ability to detect and engage long-range targets. The aircraft has a comprehensive solution that includes training, technical equipment and methodological support for radar reconnaissance and air combat management.
The aircraft has a fixed PS-890 AESA radar made with the Erieye system, which provides less drag but has a dead zone directly behind, with a scanning area of 120 degrees on both sides of the aircraft. The installed radar is capable of tracking ships, aircraft and missiles at a distance of up to 300-400 km at an altitude of 6 km. Its effective observation range covers more than 500,000 km² horizontally and allows detecting and tracking objects, including fighters, helicopters, cruise missiles and even sea targets the size of jet skis.
The package includes the entire Swedish stock of 302 Pansarbandvagn 302 (Pbv 302) armoured personnel carriers to support the build-up of new brigades of the Ukrainian army. The Pbv 302 is a tracked armoured personnel carrier developed in the 1960s. It was in service with the Swedish Army from 1966 to 2014.
The package also includes an Rb 99 hunting robot, as well as artillery ammunition and resources to maintain previously donated equipment.
Financial support, satellite communications, maintenance, tankers and research.
The 16th military support package also includes:
- Tanks that are surplus to requirements in the Swedish Armed Forces.
- Solutions for the maintenance of previously donated Swedish equipment.
- Financial support for coalitions.
- Financial support for funds and temporary initiatives for rapid and large-scale procurement of equipment for Ukraine.
- The Institute for Total Defence Studies is tasked with supporting Ukraine in establishing its own defence research institute.
- Ukraine's combat capability is enhanced through the donation of terminals with satellite communications subscriptions.
- Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Sweden has contributed 43.5 billion kronor to military support.