Sweden’s government on Thursday pledged an additional $1.2 billion in military aid to Ukraine, saying Europe needed to prepare to shoulder a larger part in supporting Kyiv.
Defence Minister Pal Jonson said the package, the country’s 18th since Russia’s 2022 invasion, was the largest to date and was a sign that Sweden was ready to support Ukraine in the “long term”.
“This is also a signal to our other allies that we need to prepare for Europe to take more responsibility for supporting Ukraine,” Jonson told a press conference.
Totalling 13.5 billion kronor ($1.2 billion), the largest part, 5.9 billion kronor, would be dedicated to procuring material from Swedish and foreign industry that would then be donated to Ukraine.
Jonson said the package meant Sweden was moving from donating weapons from stockpiles to purchasing new arms.
One billion kronor had also been earmarked for Ukrainian production of “long-range missiles and long-distance drones”, the government said.
The package also included donations worth 3.3 billion kronor from the Swedish Armed Forces, including 16 of Sweden’s Combat Boat 90, doubling the amount of such boats donated to Ukraine.
Previously, Sweden has sent its Archer mobile artillery system, 50 of its CV90 armoured combat vehicles and “around 10” Leopard 2 tanks and anti-air missile systems to Ukraine.
With this latest package, Swedish military support for Ukraine has totalled 61.9 billion kronor ($5.6 billion), according to the government.
Add Comment