Artillery plays a very central role on the battlefield in Ukraine, says Minister of Defence Pål Jonson (The Moderate Party).
The Government has decided to let the Swedish Armed Forces and the Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) use 1.5 billion kronor for the purchase of equipment to be given to Ukraine. Among other things, more than ten new barrels for Archer will be purchased, as well as weapons with long range. What it is, is secret, but could, for example, be about robots and drones.
Ukraine has received eight Archer howitzers from Sweden previously.
Military equipment that will strengthen Ukraine's underwater capability will also be purchased, according to today's government decision.
FMV will, based on an existing framework agreement with Volvo and Scania, purchase trucks, wheel loaders and a container system that allows for quick loading and unloading of equipment at the front.
One must be able to quickly move defence equipment in Ukraine, says Jonson.
The 1.5 billion kronor that the authorisations concern are not new money, but are included in the last two support packages for Ukraine.
