6 days ago
Sweden follows the Netherlands in sending multi-million military package to Ukraine
Sweden will send around €238 million worth of equipment to Ukraine, including Patriot missiles and anti-tank ammunition, Swedish Defence minister Pål Johnson announced on Tuesday.
The pledge is part of a broader €433 million package jointly coordinated with Denmark and Norway that includes US-made Patriot missile systems and other advanced munitions, largely sourced from existing European stockpiles.
The initiative follows a new arrangement under which European allies cover the cost of US defence equipment sent to Kyiv. To accelerate delivery, Washington has promised rapid backfilling of donated systems, though logistical implementation may prove complex.
The announcement comes a day after the Netherlands said it would send Patriot systems to Ukraine. Germany is also expected to deliver additional Patriot launchers in the coming days.
'We welcome the US decision to provide equipment to Ukraine, including ammunition for the Patriot air defence system, and that NATO is coordinating the support,' Johnson told the press on Tuesday.
Sweden's contribution includes Patriot missiles, HIMARS rocket ammunition, artillery for vehicles and maintenance equipment. The country acquired the US-made Patriot PAC-3 missile defence system in 2021.
'The defence equipment should be available to Ukraine next month', the Swedish defence minister added.
Denmark will contribute around €71 million and has expressed willingness to provide more if needed. 'If Ukraine requires additional support later, we are open to considering it,' Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said.
Norway has not yet detailed its share of the package.
Countries expressing interest in contributing to the joint effort include Germany, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, the UK, and Canada, according to NATO chief Mark Rutte.
Charles Szumski contributed to reporting.
(ap, cs)
