Sweden to Donate $1.23 Billion in Military Aid to Ukraine

Copenhagen: Swedish government said Wednesday that it will donate 13 billion kronor ($1.23 billion) in military aid to Ukraine, in largest package of assistance Sweden has so far donated. “It consists of equipment that is at top of Ukraine’s priority list,” Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch said. It includes air defence, artillery ammunition and armoured vehicles.

Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonsson reiterated that country has ruled out for now sending any Swedish-built JAS 39 Gripen jets to Ukraine, saying focus on Ukrainian side is on implementing a F-16 fighter jet programme.

Several countries have said y want to donate F-16s. On Tuesday, Belgium pledged 30 F-16 jets to Ukraine.

Jonsson said Sweden “is still working on possibly being able to contribute with Gripen system later.”

donation also includes two Swedish-me SAAB ASCC airborne early warning and control airplanes, which Jonsson said would have “greatest effect on Ukrainian air defence” because it would complement and reinforce promised donations of American F-16 fighter jets.

“You can identify incoming cruise missiles, you can identify drones and identify targets both on land and at sea,” he said.

“ overall assessment is that a donation of ASCC 890 rar reconnaissance and command aircraft would be most impactful for Ukrainian Air Force right now,” Jonsson ded.

donation of two airborne early warning and control airplanes means “a temporary decline in Swedish defence capability,” Jonsson said.

donation also includes a missile system that can be used both on aircraft and in ground-based air defense systems, he said. It will be donated to Ukraine through cooperation with United States, Jonsson said.

support package is 16th from Sweden since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began.