Skip to content
Edit post

Media: Sweden to unveil its largest military aid package for Ukraine

by Martin Fornusek February 20, 2024 8:33 AM 2 min read
Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (R) and Defense Minister Pal Jonson give a press conference at the Norrbotten Regiment I19 in Boden, Sweden, on Feb. 24, 2023, the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. - Sweden announced the delivery of 'around' 10 Leopard tanks and anti-air systems to Ukraine. (Andreas Sjolin/TT NEWS AGENCY/AFP via Getty Images)
This audio is created with AI assistance

Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight.

Become a member Support us just once

The Swedish government will announce a military aid package worth 7.1 billion Swedish kronor ($682 million), the country's largest contribution to date, the Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter (DN) reported on Feb. 19.

The Nordic country's defense support for Kyiv since the outbreak of the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022 has already amounted to 22.2 billion Swedish kronor ($2.13 billion).

The upcoming 15th package is to be announced during a press conference on Feb. 20 by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Defense Minister Pal Jonson, DN said.

The tranche is reportedly meant to include materiel from the Swedish Armed Forces' stocks. Additional funds will also be allocated to replace arms already sent to Ukraine and to be able to obtain equipment more quickly when needed, according to the outlet.

The exact content of the package remains unclear.

Swedish minister reaffirms willingness to send jets to Ukraine after finalizing NATO bid
Sweden is open to providing Ukraine with modern fighter jets, but first needs a full-fledged NATO membership and the security provided by Article 5, Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson said on Feb. 16 at the Munich Security Conference, according to a Kyiv Independent reporter.

While not a NATO member, Stockholm plays an important role in the pro-Ukraine coalition. Swedish contributions to Kyiv have included Archer self-propelled artillery systems, CV90 infantry fighting vehicles, and Swedish variants of Leopard 2 tanks: Strv 122.

Sweden unveiled its previous package in October 2023, worth 2.2 billion Swedish kronor ($211 million) and consisting of artillery ammunition, spare parts, infantry equipment, and communications equipment.

Ukraine has also shown interest in Swedish-made Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets, although Sweden has been hesitant to supply the aircraft so far.

Jonson told the Kyiv Independent last week that Stockholm is open to the possibility of supplying modern jets to Ukraine once Sweden finalizes its NATO bid.

Sweden applied to join NATO in 2022, shortly after the start of the Russian full-scale invasion, but the process has been long delayed by Hungary and Turkey.

After the Turkish parliament finally ratified Sweden's bid earlier this year, Budapest remains as the only holdout.

Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight.
Freedom can be costly. Both Ukraine and its journalists are paying a high price for their independence. Support independent journalism in its darkest hour. Support us for as little as $1, and it only takes a minute.
visa masterCard americanExpress

News Feed

Ukraine Daily
News from Ukraine in your inbox
Ukraine news
Please, enter correct email address
MORE NEWS

Editors' Picks

Enter your email to subscribe
Please, enter correct email address
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required

Subscribe

* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required

Subscribe

* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Successfuly subscribed
Thank you for signing up for this newsletter. We’ve sent you a confirmation email.