Sweden and Ukraine have committed to increased military cooperation by agreeing to share classified information and improve the delivery of defence equipment in the future, according to two agreements signed on Wednesday, ahead of Sweden’s formal accession to NATO.
The agreement on classified information sharing was signed by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba and Swedish Defence Minister Pål, while the other is between Ukrainian Defence Minister Reznikov and Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration.
“Sweden has many good agreements, an important thing that can make a big difference,” said Johan Hjelmstrand, the Defence Minister’s press secretary.
Under the agreement on information sharing, Sweden and Ukraine will be able to share secret information which is a prerequisite for Ukraine to be able to test-fly Swedish Gripen fighter jets.
In terms of defence purchases, the two countries agreed to allow Ukraine to purchase defence equipment through Swedish contracts, including via Sweden’s defence industry – meaning Ukraine should receive orders much faster than if they place their own orders.
Ukraine will also benefit from the additional orders Sweden can make on orders it has already placed in the past – making the process even quicker.
In other words, once Sweden has met its defence needs, the surplus can be shared with Ukraine – though it is not clear which weapons and what type of ammunition this might involve.
Who will pay for the defence material is a separate issue.
“Whether this is a support package or whether they pay themselves is not part of what was presented today,” said Hjelmstrand.
The agreement is valid until further notice and may also be valid after the war when the country is rebuilt.
(Charles Szumski | EURACTIV.com)
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