Sweden announced this Friday new military aid to Ukraine worth 2.2 billion Swedish crowns (190 million euros), and confirmed that it is studying sending Gripen fighter jets to support the Ukrainian resistance to the Russian invasion.
“We are preparing for a long war and therefore we must design our support in a sustainable and long-term way,” Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson said at a press conference.
A large part of this aid consists of 155mm artillery shells, but also ammunition and spare parts for the weapons systems that Sweden has already sent to Ukraine.
Sweden will also provide infantry and satellite communications equipment and train Ukrainian soldiers.
With this 14th military support program, Sweden will have provided military equipment worth approximately SEK 22.2 billion, the Ministry of Defense said in a statement.
The Government also asked the Swedish military to submit a report to it, by November 6, on the conditions for a possible deployment of Gripen fighter jets in Ukraine.
Ukrainian pilots have already successfully completed initial training with Gripen fighters in anticipation of this possible assistance.
In order for Sweden to deliver the Gripen fighters, according to the Government, Sweden must be a member of NATO.
“We believe that we must be included in the Alliance’s defense plans and covered by NATO’s defense guarantees” to send the fighters, Jonson explained.
Hungary and Turkey have lifted their veto on Sweden’s entry into the Atlantic Alliance, but are slow to ratify its membership in NATO.
The military offensive launched on February 24, 2022 by Russia in Ukraine caused, according to the most recent UN data, the worst refugee crisis in Europe since the Second World War (1939-1945).
The Russian invasion – justified by Russian President Vladimir Putin with the need to “denazify” and demilitarize Ukraine for Russia’s security – was condemned by most of the international community, which has responded by sending weapons to Ukraine and imposing duties on Russia. political and economic. sanctions.
Source: TSF
