Swedish parliament approves $300 million in military aid for Ukraine

The Swedish parliament has approved the transfer of 3.25 billion Swedish kronor (almost $300 million) in military aid to Ukraine, including munitions, spare parts, and vehicles, the parliament announced on its website on Aug. 17.

The tranche of assistance is composed of over $100 million in spare parts and emergency supplies, and almost $200 million worth of munitions, ammunition components, demining equipment, and transport vehicles.

Sweden's legislative body has also voted in favor of selling a limited amount of Rb 99 (AMRAAM) air-to-air missiles to the U.S. as part of Washington's program to donate older AMRAAM to Ukraine to bolster its air defense.

Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson said on Aug. 15 that the government has proposed a military aid package worth 3.4 billion Swedish kronor ($314 million) for approval by the parliament.

Jonson specified that the new aid should include CV90 infantry fighting vehicles, Archer artillery systems, trucks, and demining equipment. The parliament did not specifically name artillery or combat vehicles in its statement, however.

This is Sweden's 13th defense assistance package since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022. Stockholm has provided Kyiv with $1.6 billion in military aid so far, not including the latest package, the national broadcaster SVT said.

Pentagon: US to further increase 155 mm ammunition production

The U.S. plans to increase its production of 155 mm shells, bringing it to 80,000 per month next year, Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder said on Aug. 10. The statement comes amid Ukraine’s growing need for NATO-standard ammunition, which is used with West-provided artillery.

The Kyiv IndependentDinara Khalilova