New Swedish support strengthens Ukraine’s artillery capacity

“Ukraine is in urgent need of artillery and artillery ammunition. This has been a priority for Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Ukraine’s Minister of Defence Rustem Umerov highlighted this point when I met him at the weekend,” says Minister for Defence Pål Jonson. 

Together with the EU and our transatlantic partners, Sweden will continue to strengthen Ukraine through donations of military equipment. Within the framework of the previously announced 18th military support package to Ukraine, the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration has been authorised to procure artillery systems for donation to Ukraine. 

The total value of these donations is approximately SEK 3 billion and includes: 

• 18 Archer artillery units from BAE Systems Bofors. Sweden has previously donated eight Archer artillery units to Ukraine.
• Five Arthur counter-battery radar systems from Saab. The Arthur system is used to detect artillery projectiles and calculate points of origin. This makes it easier to combat enemy artillery. Arthur has previously been donated to Ukraine by Sweden and the United Kingdom.
• Financial support to Ukraine´s defence industry through the Danish initiative that could be used for 155 mm ammunition or Bohdana artillery systems.  

Through increased production volumes in the Swedish defence sector, this artillery package will contribute to strengthening the security of supply and production capacity of defence materiel in Sweden, Ukraine and Europe.  

Sweden also intends to participate in the UDCG’s artillery coalition. The coalition aims to coordinate support for developing and strengthening Ukraine’s artillery capacity and to increase interoperability with NATO.  

Deliveries of the Arthur systems are due to start in 2025, while deliveries of the Archer systems will start in 2026.