Blocked Breakers: Sweden sends anti-ship missiles to Ukraine
Sweden will deliver anti-ship missiles to Ukraine, according to a top official.
“The proposals made [to parliament] means that funds set aside for the state budget will increase by SEK 1.0 billion ($ 102 million) in 2022, says Sweden’s Minister of Finance Mikael Damberg and Minister of Defense Peter Hultqvist in a press conference. statement on Thursday, according to Reuters. “In solidarity with Ukraine, and as part of the international response to Russia’s actions, the government sees a continuing need to support Ukraine,” the statement added.
The ship missiles are part of a larger military aid package that also contains anti-tank weapons, 12.7 mm rifles and ammunition, according to Sweden’s Foreign Minister Ann Linde. The tranche marks Sweden’s fourth aid package to Ukraine, totaling more than $ 100 million, since the Russian invasion began on February 24.
Sweden’s latest part of Ukraine’s assistance follows on the heels of a $ 700 million security package announced by the US Department of Defense. The package contains an unknown number of high-moving artillery missile systems (HIMARS), which will allow Ukrainian forces to hit Russian targets at long range.
The White House said in May that it was working on a plan to provide Ukraine with advanced anti-ship missiles to repel Russia’s naval blockade of the country’s strategically important Black Sea coast. U.S. officials told Reuters that Boeing’s Harpoon missile and Kongsberg and Raytheon’s Naval Strike missile are under active consideration; the missiles would either be sent directly to Ukraine by the United States or transferred by a European ally.
The Pentagon announced at the end of May that Denmark has agreed to send long-range missiles against ships to Ukraine. “I am particularly grateful to Denmark, which today announced that it will provide a Harpoon rocket and missiles to help Ukraine defend its coast.” sa Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
Ukraine’s domestically produced Neptune missile, which is derived from the Soviet Kh-35 anti-ship missile, was launched in 2021, but it is unclear how many such missiles are currently in stock by the Ukrainian military. Two Neptune missiles, reportedly fired from the Odessa region, sank the flagship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, Moscowin April, and recorded one of the most significant casualties in recent naval history.
Kyiv has repeatedly appealed to the West for anti-ship missiles, but the supply of these weapons to Ukraine has been hampered by their significant training and maintenance requirements. Ukraine does not have a viable fleet and therefore lacks the ability to deploy such missiles from ships, nor is there a large number of compatible land-based launchers.
Mark Episkopos is a national security reporter for National interest.
Image: Reuters.