Sweden continues to support Ukraine with military equipment – directly from the warehouse of the Swedish Defense Forces. This week, the government announced that it is sending the radar reconnaissance and control plan Asc 890, and that Sweden is now without it.
– It affects Sweden’s defense capability, we have also said that, but the support packages are based on the Armed Forces receiving authorization and financial space to make replacement acquisitions, says Defense Minister Pål Jonson (M).
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Historically large support package for Ukraine – it can make a difference. See the interview in Nyhetsmorgon 30/5 2024
Defense: Must change character
In documents from the Armed Forces to the government which Svenska Dagbladet has taken part it describes how the situation becomes increasingly difficult when the Swedish defense warehouse is donated to Ukraine.
– The long-term solution is not to empty Swedish stores, says Lieutenant General Michael Claesson, head of the defense staff to Svenska Dagbladet.
In the documents, it appears that the defense believes that the support to Ukraine needs to “change character”, as the opportunities to pick up its own material will be reduced. Michael Claesson believes that the point has already been passed where the defense has the opportunity to contribute more from its own stocks.
Pål Jonsson says that Sweden will continue to support Ukraine as long as it is needed, but that the support may change in the future.
– We will have to do it in a slightly different way in the future. We will have to go from donation to production, where we use the strong defense industrial base we have here in Sweden, says Jonson to TV4 Nyheterna.
“It’s a big challenge”
Investing in production instead of donation is not easy, however, and the whole of Europe is now facing a change in the defense industry.
– A strong increase in production is required if we are to replenish the stocks and replace the material that was donated, but the levels may also have to increase due to the changed threat picture. It’s a big challenge, says Ann Lundberg, first analyst at Total Defense’s research institute, FOI.
Per Olsson, defense economist at FOI points out that Europe has reduced its ammunition production during the last peace period, a production that needs to start in the longer term.
– Then there was no need for hundreds of thousands of grenades that stood and collected dust. Now they were needed and more. The war in Ukraine swallows millions of shells every year, says Per Olsson, defense economist at FOI.
Ukraine needs the support now
Per Olsson describes it as a complete changeover, both nationally and within the EU, but it takes time.
– In general, it is a lack of qualified personnel, production capacity and components that make it take time, but there are a variety of initiatives. Once they get going, we can produce a lot. The problem is that Ukraine needs the support now, says Per Olsson.
Exactly how long it will take to increase the production of various defense equipment is difficult to predict, but Ann Lundberg at FOI believes that it could take several years.
– I don’t think anyone is looking for a quick solution, it will be a process and it will take several years. How many years depends on the material we are talking about, some things can be arranged faster. The challenge is also that others in Europe are using the same subcontractors, says Ann Lundberg.