Published: Less than 40 min ago
Updated: Less than 30 min ago
Sweden is to send up to ten Leopard tanks and air defenses to Ukraine. The eleventh military aid package is unveiled on the anniversary of Russia’s large-scale invasion.
– A mark, says Defense Minister Pål Jonsson.
Against a backdrop of a tank 90 and a Leopard 2 on a firing range outside Boden, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) and Pål Jonsson (M) presented the eleventh military support package to Ukraine.
On the anniversary of the invasion, the Prime Minister said that the war has become as terrible as could be feared. However, he pointed to a bright spot: Western countries have stuck together and supported Ukraine.
– I think we will continue to supply weapons from many countries to Ukraine as long as it takes, says Kristersson.
The new support package includes up to ten Model 2A5 Leopard tanks.
– It is quite a lot by Swedish standards, says Kristersson.
Part of armored battalion
The Swedish Armed Forces have a total of 120 Leopard tanks. According to Jonson, it is one of the world’s most advanced tanks.
The Swedish tanks will be part of an armored battalion that Germany is now assembling to send to Ukraine, according to the German magazine Der Spiegel. The Swedish model is similar to the one that Germany will send.
Poland is also assembling armored forces with tanks for Ukraine.
Jonson states that Sweden will also assist with training, logistics and maintenance so that Ukraine can use the tanks.
The Minister of Defense also says that the West’s military support is now, unlike before, coordinated to a much greater extent with other countries. It is also something Ukraine is in demand for.
– What we are doing now is that we are building battalions and brigades together with other international partners, says Jonson.
Affects Sweden
The Minister of Defense states that the arms deliveries will affect Sweden’s long-term defense capabilities.
– But above all, it will affect the growth of the Armed Forces. We are well aware of that, he says.
Sweden has previously promised to send 50 combat vehicles 90 and they are the core of the Swedish contribution to Ukraine in terms of ground combat. Tanks and combat vehicles are seen as important for Ukraine to be able to go on the counter-offensive this spring.
In the new, eleventh military support package from Sweden, air defense systems, IRIS-T and parts of HAWK are also included.
HAWK is a medium-range anti-aircraft system. The system is used to protect communities and socially important objects from enemy air and robot attacks.
IRIS-T Eldenhet 98 is a Swedish-German air defense system that can fight aircraft and cruise robots at shorter distances.
– It is absolutely crucial for Ukraine that Russia does not get air supremacy, says Jonson.
He adds that Ukraine will need long-term support in providing the country with air defenses.
“Don’t be naive”
When asked if the threat from Russia against Sweden is now increasing because of the Swedish arms deliveries, the prime minister replies:
– You shouldn’t be naive. Russia does not like that EU and NATO countries help Ukraine in different ways.
Kristersson adds, however, that Ukraine is also fighting our war.
– Other countries would be in danger if Russia were to win this war. We have good reasons to help Ukraine.
In addition to the Leopard 2 and combat vehicle 90, Sweden has announced that it will send the Archer artillery system to Ukraine. In previous packages, for example, anti-tank systems, all-terrain vehicles and winter equipment for soldiers have been included.
Ukraine has also pointed to the need to get fighter jets from the West. Kristersson states that sending the Jas 39 Gripen is out of the question, but does not rule it out in the long run either.
Facts
The Leopard tank
Leopard 2 is also called tank 122.
It is the Swedish version of the German Leopard 2 tank.
The crew consists of four people.
A driver in the driver’s compartment in the chassis, as well as a coach commander, a gunner and a loader up in the turret.
The carriage is armed with a 12-centimeter cannon, two 7.62-millimeter machine guns and a smoke thrower battery.
The Swedish Armed Forces have a total of 120 Leopard tanks.
Source: Ministry of Defence
Read more