SOCIETY
With the new support package to Ukraine, Sweden will have sent military support for approximately SEK 29.3 billion. Anders Humlebo
The government presents the largest military aid package to Ukraine to date, worth 7.1 billion. It includes combat boat 90, artillery shells and anti-aircraft.
More reading
The Swedish grenade factory scales up – is it enough for the EU promise?
The government sees the package, which comes just before the anniversary of the outbreak of war, as an important signal to the outside world that Sweden will continue to support Ukraine.
– Should Russia win this terrible war, Sweden will have significantly greater security problems than today, says Defense Minister Pål Jonson (M).
The ammunition is to be manufactured with components from Denmark and Finland.
Ukraine is also getting more Robot 70, an anti-aircraft system already in use in Ukraine, as well as more grenade launchers and anti-tank robots.
Push back
Equipment that Sweden has not previously sent to Ukraine is ten combat boats 90 and 20 group boats. Sweden is part of an international coalition to strengthen Ukraine’s ability to push back the Russian fleet in the Black Sea.
The Swedish boats are for defending coasts, but can also be used on Ukrainian rivers.
Ukraine gets, among other things, 10 battleship 90. Stock image. Mikaela Landeström/TT
– For Ukraine to win the war, the Russians also need to be fought on beaches, rivers and in other maritime environments, says the Liberals’ Joar Forssell.
The package also includes “underwater weapons”. What it is is secret, but could be, for example, torpedoes or mines.
Sweden has now given military support equivalent to SEK 30 billion and is among the ten largest donor countries. The government has promised to support Ukraine as long as necessary, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to find war material in the stores that the Armed Forces can spare.
However, the government has opened up to giving the Gripenplan to Ukraine, when Sweden became a full member of NATO.
The material
– This is a step in that direction. It is completely natural. It is not unlimited what our own war organization can spare, says Jonson.
– Then we will use the strong defense industry we have in Sweden to support Ukraine.
There is also money in the package for the procurement of other military equipment and for training efforts.
FACT
15th support package
Artillery ammunition: 2 billion (bdr)
Robot 70, grenade launcher, anti-tank robot RBS55 and hand grenades: 1 mdr
10 battleship 90, 20 group boats and underwater weapons: 1.2 billion
Order of new combat vehicles 90: 1.2 billion
Money for funds for the purchase of military equipment: 1.1 billion
Education: 0.4 months
Healthcare equipment and food 0.2 mdr
Summa: 7,1 mdr
Source: Ministry of Defence