In a significant boost to Ukraine’s defence capability, the Swedish government has announced its intention to provide approximately €4.8 billion (SEK 4.8 billion) in economic donations to multilateral funds and initiatives aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s military capabilities.
This announcement comes as part of Sweden’s ongoing support for Ukraine since Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022. The government has been actively engaged in providing military, humanitarian, and civil aid to the country, with this latest donation marking an important escalation of its efforts.
The donations are part of a 19th support package presented by the Swedish Government on March 31st and adopted by the Riksdag on April 29th. These funds will be channelled into several capability coalitions aimed at coordinating international military support to Ukraine, including the Demining Capability Coalition, the Drone Coalition, the Maritime Capability Coalition, and the IT Coalition.
The Demining Capability Coalition will receive a significant boost of SEK 100 million, which will contribute to funding for the procurement of mine clearance equipment, including mine sensors, vehicles, and personal protective equipment. The Drone Coalition will receive SEK 300 million, supporting the procurement of various types of unmanned aerial vehicles. Additionally, SEK 50 million will be allocated to the Maritime Capability Coalition for training personnel of the Ukrainian Navy within the framework of Operation Intercharge.
The IT Coalition will receive SEK 30 million, which will contribute to funding for the procurement of equipment to establish Ukraine’s DELTA situational awareness system. Furthermore, SEK 418 million will be donated for the procurement of materiel to support the build-up of Ukraine’s ground combat capability, including armoured vehicles.
Sweden has also launched a new initiative to support the development of its mechanised ground combat capability, in cooperation with Nordic and Baltic countries. This collaboration aims to achieve joint solutions and coordination of support to enhance the impact for Ukraine.
In addition to these initiatives, Sweden will donate an additional SEK 550 million to support the international purchase of large volumes of ammunition, as part of Czechia’s initiative. The country will also contribute SEK 546 million to Estonia’s ammunition procurement initiative, aligning with the EU goal of providing Ukraine with at least 2 million artillery shells in 2025.
Air defence systems and long-range drones are a top priority for the Ukrainian armed forces, and Sweden is allocating over SEK 1 billion to support their multilateral procurement. This donation is a significant contribution towards enhancing Ukraine’s air defence capabilities and combating targets deep behind enemy lines.
The Swedish Government’s decision to provide additional economic donations to Ukraine is seen as a crucial step in supporting the country’s efforts to strengthen its defence capability in the face of ongoing aggression from Russia. As Sweden continues to provide military, humanitarian, and civil support to Ukraine, this latest donation underscores its commitment to helping the country build resilience and defend its sovereignty.
Conclusion
Sweden’s contribution of SEK 4.8 billion to Ukraine’s defence capability marks a significant escalation of its support for the country. This injection of funding will help strengthen Ukraine’s military capabilities, enhance its air defence systems, and bolster its ground combat capacity. As Sweden continues to provide critical aid to Ukraine, its commitment to supporting the country’s efforts to build resilience in the face of aggression remains unwavering.