Sweden will increase its support of Ukraine by sending high-tech Archer artillery systems, combat vehicles and anti-tank missiles, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced at a press conference on Thursday.
The Swedish government decided to send the tenth military aid package to Ukraine, composed of 50 combat vehicles, anti-tank missiles and the Archer artillery system. The latter, a highly accurate wheeled artillery system that can be moved and fired quickly, had long been on top of Kyiv’s wish list.
“It is very much needed right now. Ukraine is warning of new large-scale Russian attacks,” said Kristersson, adding that military support is crucial as Russia seems to think “that time is on their side and that it is a war of attrition.”
According to Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson, the military package is worth SEK 4.3 billion (€38.5 million) but does not include the Archer system. The package will be presented to the Swedish parliament (Riksdag) “in the near future” in the form of an extra amending budget.
According to Jonson, it may take “a few months” to get the combat vehicle in place in Ukraine, with some additional time for the Archer system. Ukrainian soldiers will have to be trained for both weapon systems, and transport and the possibility of maintenance and repairs will have to be arranged.
The total military aid from Sweden to Ukraine prior to today’s package has a total value of SEK 5 billion (€44 million), of which the latest, ninth package was valued at SEK 3 billion (€26 million).
Sweden has sent so far air defence systems, all-terrain vehicles, 15,000 armoured rounds, anti-ship missiles, as well as protective vests, helmets and winter equipment for soldiers, among other things.
There is also an ongoing international debate on whether to send tanks to Ukraine, particularly the German Leopard 2, which the Swedish Armed Forces also possess. The subject will be discussed at a meeting at the US military base in Ramstein, Germany, on Friday that the Swedish Defence Minister will also attend.
An important question is how much war material Sweden can spare without risking the country’s defence capability, as Kristersson stressed, mentioning a “delicate balance” to reach.
On the other side of the aisle, Social Democrats support continued military aid to Ukraine, but the Riksdag’s Defence Committee Chairman and former Defence minister Peter Hultqvist stressed that it is important to look at the consequences of giving away up to 20 Archer guns.
According to him, it is a very important change in the planning of military capabilities and he has already requested that the government provide more information to the Defence Committee on that matter by 26 January.
(Charles Szumski | EURACTIV.com)
Source: euractiv.com
