Sweden OKs transfer of Archer self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine
Prime Minister of Sweden Ulf Kristersson announced that the country would send Archer self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine to counter Russian invasion.
The artillery system is reportedly to be part of one of Stockholm’s future military aid packages to its war-torn allies.
The country’s foreign minister Tobias Billström also said the Archer systems are being donated because Kyiv “clearly requested” them.
He further stated that Sweden has been very willing to supply Ukraine with the weapons, but it was only a matter of “when” to send them.
Earlier reports indicate that the Swedish Ministry of Defense offered 12 of its 48 Archer 155-millimeter howitzers to support Ukrainian counteroffensives.
– I have always said that we are strong in providing such an advanced weapon system, says Kristersson told reporters. “This work is in progress and I will get back to you as soon as we have completed it.”
“Not on Ukraine’s wish list”
In November last year Sweden approved a military aid package of 287 million dollars to Ukrainethe largest of eight previous packages it has provided to Kyiv.
The aid included anti-aircraft systems but not self-propelled howitzers to support front-line units.
A month later, Stockholm agreed to send a new batch of military aid that included additional anti-aircraft systems and winter ammunition. Yet there were no Archer artillery systems.
When asked why the weapons were not in the previous military aid packages that were sent to Kyiv, Kristersson answered revealed that archers were not at the top of Ukraine’s weapon wish list.
However, he underlined that the self-propelled weapons have always been Sweden’s highest priority in military aid to its fighting allies.
Archer Artillery System
The Archer, developed by BAE Systems Bofors, is a powerful artillery system on a wheeled chassis armed with a 155 mm FH 77 BW L52 howitzer.
It has an unmanned gun turret that holds 21 shells and can be fired at enemy assets in about 2.5 minutes.
The system can hit targets at up to 30 kilometers (19 miles) with a conventional projectile and 60 kilometers with an Excalibur guided projectile.
In addition, the Archer is equipped with a Kongsberg remote-controlled weapon station for close-in defense.
Sweden is the launch customer for the artillery system, having received 48 units for combat operations.