COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — The Swedish government said Wednesday it will donate 13 billion kroner ($1.23 billion) in military aid to Ukraine, the largest aid package Sweden has donated to date.
“It consists of equipment that is at the top of Ukraine’s priority list,” said Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch. It includes air defense, artillery ammunition and armored vehicles.
Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonsson reiterated that the country has for now ruled out sending Swedish-built JAS 39 Gripen jets to Ukraine, saying the focus on the Ukrainian side is on implementing an F-16 fighter jet program.
Several countries have indicated that they want to donate F-16s. Belgium promised 30 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine on Tuesday.
Jonsson said Sweden is “still working on potentially contributing later with the Gripen system.”
The donation also includes two Swedish-made SAAB ASCC airborne early warning and control aircraft, which Jonsson said would have the “greatest impact on Ukrainian air defense” as it would complement promised donations of US F-16 fighter jets and strengthen.
“You can identify incoming cruise missiles, you can identify drones and identify targets both on land and at sea,” he said.
“The overall assessment is that a donation of the ASCC 890 radar reconnaissance and command aircraft would have the most impact on the Ukrainian Air Force at this time,” Jonsson added.
The donation of the two early warning and control aircraft represents “a temporary decline in Swedish defense capabilities,” Jonsson said.
The donation also includes a missile system that can be used in aircraft as well as in ground-based air defense systems, he said. It will be donated to Ukraine through cooperation with the United States, Jonsson said.
The aid package is Sweden’s sixteenth package since the start of the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.
