The Swedish government has announced its 17th military assistance package for Ukraine. The new aid package ‘meets Ukraine's greatest military needs and creates freedom of action for the future’ and includes donations of equipment, direct purchases, equipment packages and financial support.
This is stated on the government's website.
‘Sweden is entering a new phase of military support for Ukraine through a greater focus on production rather than donations,’ the government said.
The package contains three major purchases of equipment that are a particular priority for Ukraine, as well as meeting Ukraine's military needs and creating freedom of action in the future. It includes donations of materiel, direct procurement, materiel units and financial contributions.
Procurement will be carried out either by the Swedish Armed Forces or the Swedish Defence Logistics Agency. The value of these purchases is approximately SEK 600 million.
In particular, the new military aid package includes Robot System 70 anti-aircraft missile systems, rifles and anti-tank mines, protective masks for equipment for working in contaminated environments, grenade launchers with ammunition, recoilless shotguns with ammunition, and small-calibre ammunition.
Sweden is also providing the Ukrainian Armed Forces with winter uniforms and equipment.
The new package of assistance from Sweden includes six additional Stridsbat 90 amphibious assault boats and launching equipment.
As part of the same package, Sweden has allocated more than SEK 700 million in financial contributions to foundations and multilateral initiatives in 2024. These international programmes, which involve several countries, have proven to be effective in creating the conditions for large purchases of weapons and equipment.
For the first time, Sweden has also decided to purchase additional spare parts for JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets, which may end up in Ukraine in the future. Around SEK 2.3 billion (over EUR 200 million) has been earmarked for this purpose.