COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — The Swedish government said Wednesday it will donate 13 billion kronor ($1.23 billion) in military aid to Ukraine, the largest amount of aid Sweden has ever donated.
“This is made up of equipment that is Ukraine’s top priority,” Deputy Prime Minister Eva Bush said, including air defense weapons, artillery shells and armored vehicles.
Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonsson reiterated that there is currently no chance of sending Swedish-made JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine, and said Ukraine’s focus was on implementing its F-16 fighter program.
Several countries have indicated they would like to donate F-16 fighter jets. On Tuesday, Belgium pledged to donate 30 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.
Jonsson said Sweden was “still working on the possible future contribution of the Gripen system.”
Zelensky vows Russia will feel Ukraine’s ‘wrath’ when Western F-16 fighter jets arrive in the New Yearhttps://t.co/zpgv4ICuOe
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) January 1, 2024
The donation, which also includes two Swedish-made Saab ASCC airborne early warning and control aircraft, Jonsson said would “have the greatest impact on Ukraine’s air defence” as it would complement and strengthen the promised donation of US F-16 fighter jets.
“It can identify incoming cruise missiles and drones, and it can also identify targets both on land and at sea,” he said.
“The overall assessment is that the donation of ASCC 890 radar reconnaissance and command aircraft would be the most beneficial for the Ukrainian Air Force at the moment,” Jonsson added.
Jonsson said the donation of the two airborne early warning and control aircraft “will represent a temporary reduction in Sweden’s defence capabilities.”
Jonsson said the donations also included missile systems that could be used in both airborne and ground-based air defense systems and would be donated to Ukraine in cooperation with the United States.
The aid package marks Sweden’s 16th aid package since Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Spain to provide Ukraine with additional missiles, tanks as part of $1 billion donationhttps://t.co/XW1ErrRtEX
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) May 28, 2024
