Sweden will provide Ukraine with nearly half a billion dollars worth of military support as it considers the prospect of providing the country with fighter jets.
While a supporter of Ukraine since the start of Vladimir Putin‘s full-scale invasion, Sweden is the newest member of NATO, joining the alliance in March this year, which has added an extra defense dimension to ties with Kyiv in light of the war.
Sweden’s Minister for Defense Pål Johnson said Monday that the package worth 4.6 billion Swedish crowns ($445 million) will include infantry fighting vehicles, combat boats, missiles, and camouflage gear as well as funding to support defense procurements.
The government today presents a new military support package to Ukraine worth approx. 445 million USD. We continue to go from donation to the production of arms to Ukraine. With Sweden’s strong defence industrial base we are well equipped to undertake this transformation. (1/10) pic.twitter.com/2jXqvZMB1S
— Pål Jonson (@PlJonson) September 9, 2024
Half of the value of the package will include parts for Sweden’s production of its latest model Gripen E fighters although Stockholm says it has yet to decide on their transfer. This means that Sweden would not have to cannibalize earlier Gripen models as part of the upgrade and can allow its older jets to be transferred to Kyiv in the future.
Jonson said that Sweden wants to be able to give Kyiv Gripens “at a possible later stage” and that the latest package would allow that.
This illustrative image from 2019 shows a Swedish Gripen jet in joint exercises between the Finnish and the Swedish air forces. Sweden said on Monday it would provide further military aid for Ukraine which could pave the way to it eventually supplying the Saab-made jet to Kyiv in future.
JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/Getty Images
Before Sweden joined NATO, it was in discussions with Kyiv about sending Gripen JAS39 jets which Ukrainian pilots have already tested, according to Defense News.
But Stockholm has said that they did not want to disturb the introduction of U.S.-made F-16s, which are being supplied to Kyiv via third countries, Reuters reported.
“At the moment, transferring JAS Gripen to Ukraine is not a viable option, as it would interfere with the introduction of the F-16,” Jonson said in a statement posted on X on Monday.
Sweden also announced that it would provide more RBS70 portable air defense systems, grenade launchers, ammunition, anti-tank mines and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense equipment (CBRN).
Sweden announced the 17th military aid package for Ukraine worth SEK 4.6 billion ($450 million).
This package includes weapons and equipment to increase Ukraine’s defense capabilities at sea, on land, and in the air.We are grateful to our Swedish partners for their unwavering… pic.twitter.com/aFnRLIiVuH
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) September 9, 2024
Jonson reiterated Swedish policy of avoiding restrictions on its donated weapons to Kyiv for use on Russian territory, posting on X that Ukraine “is clearly exercising its right to self-defense in accordance with international law.”
Ukraine has expressed frustration at not being allowed to use weapons from some allies, such as the U.S. for strikes deep inside Russian territory over concerns that this could lead to escalation.
The Ukrainian defense ministry said in a statement: “We are grateful to our Swedish partners for their unwavering support.” In May, the Swedish government agreed to provide Ukraine with 75 billion crowns ($7.01 billion) of military support over three years.
