COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — The Swedish federal government stated Wednesday that it will contribute 13 billion kronor ($1.23 billion) in military help to Ukraine, in the biggest bundle of support Sweden has actually up until now contributed.
“It includes devices that is at the top of Ukraine’s concern list,” Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch stated. It consists of air defense, weapons ammo and armored cars.
Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonsson repeated that the nation has actually eliminated in the meantime sending out any Swedish-built JAS 39 Gripen jets to Ukraine, stating the concentrate on the Ukrainian side is on carrying out a F-16 fighter jet program.
Numerous nations have actually stated they wish to contribute F-16s. On Tuesday, Belgium vowed 30 F-16 jets to Ukraine.
Jonsson stated Sweden “is still dealing with potentially having the ability to contribute with the Gripen system later on.”
The contribution likewise consists of 2 Swedish-made SAAB ASCC air-borne early caution and control planes, which Jonsson stated would have the “biggest impact on the Ukrainian air defense” due to the fact that it would match and strengthen the guaranteed contributions of American F-16 fighter jets.
“You can recognize inbound cruise rockets, you can recognize drones and recognize targets both on land and at sea,” he stated.
“The total evaluation is that a contribution of the ASCC 890 radar reconnaissance and command airplane would be the most impactful for the Ukrainian Flying force today,” Jonsson included.
The contribution of the 2 air-borne early caution and control planes suggests “a short-term decrease in the Swedish defense ability,” Jonsson stated.
The contribution likewise consists of a rocket system that can be utilized both on airplane and in ground-based air defense systems, he stated. It will be contributed to Ukraine through cooperation with the United States, Jonsson stated.
The assistance bundle is the 16th from Sweden considering that Russia’s major intrusion of Ukraine started.