Sweden announces $419 million military aid package to Ukraine, including Archer artillery system
Sweden will provide Ukraine with additional military aid worth SEK 4.3 billion ($419 million), which includes long-sought Archer self-propelled guns, the country’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on January 19, as quoted by SVT. Under the three-part package, Sweden will also deliver about 50 of its Stridsfordon 90 infantry fighting vehicles, NLAW anti-tank weapons, mine clearance equipment and automatic rifles, according to Reuters.
Archer is one of the world’s most advanced artillery systems, capable of firing projectiles at a distance of up to 50 km. The Swedish government has not specified how many Archer self-propelled guns will be delivered to Ukraine.
According to Sweden’s Minister of Defense Pal Jonson, quoted by The Expressthe government aims to transfer the weapons and conduct training for the Ukrainian military within the next few months.
“Ukraine’s victory in this war is of almost indescribable significance,” Kristersson said. quoted by Reuters. He added that Ukraine is fighting for the freedom of all of Europe.
“That is one of the biggest reasons why so many countries are doing so much to help Ukraine right now. The moral support is important, but also our common security,” Kristersson said.
This is already the tenth military aid package to Ukraine that Sweden provides. Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Sweden has provided military aid worth approximately 5 billion Swedish kronor (over 475 million dollars) to Ukraine, SVT wrote.