Sweden pledges $1.3B military aid package to Ukraine

By Leila Nezirevic

LONDON (AA) - Sweden will supply Ukraine with its 16th military aid package worth $1.3 billion which is the Nordic country's biggest package so far, the Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

The package aims to help strengthen the Ukrainian air defense and includes Saab’s Airborne Surveillance and Control (ASC) 890 aircraft.

The aircraft will be used in coordination with Kyiv’s implementation of US F-16 fighters that will be supplied by other European countries, including Denmark, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

“We have held intensive discussions with countries in the fighter jet coalition and the assessment is that a donation of the ASC 890 airborne surveillance and control aircraft would have the largest impact on Ukrainian air defense,” Defense Minister Paal Jonson told a press conference in Stockholm.

“It will be an important contribution by adding capabilities that Ukraine doesn’t have currently,” he added.

The "entire Swedish stock" of 302 infantry fighting vehicles, artillery shells, anti-air missiles, and materials to help maintain and replenish previously donated military equipment will also be included, said Jonson.

In addition, the military aid will enable financial assistance, satellite communication resources, and a mandate by Sweden's Total Defense Research Institute to help Ukraine develop its own research capabilities.

The announcement came a day after Sweden announced it was providing Kyiv with a new energy aid package worth $58.2 million to “strengthen Ukraine’s resilience.”

The Nordic country said Tuesday it was suspending plans to send Gripen jets to Ukraine after other countries decided to prioritize the delivery of F16s fighter jets to the war-torn country, Jonson then told the TT news agency.

Earlier this month, Stockholm announced plans to provide Ukraine with military support totalling $7 billion over a three-year period.

So far, Stockholm has supplied Ukraine with a variety of advanced military equipment, including the Archer self-propelled howitzer and CV90 infantry fighting vehicle.