The Government of Sweden has authorised the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to acquire 18 Archer self-propelled 155mm artillery systems for the purpose of donating them to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Additionally, FMV will obtain five Arthur counter-battery fire radar systems for Ukraine.
The total value of the artillery package is approximately SEK 3 billion and is part of Sweden’s 18th military support package to Ukraine. The Swedish Government also intends for Sweden to participate in the artillery coalition of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG).
“Ukraine is in urgent need of artillery and artillery ammunition. This has been a priority for Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Ukraine’s Minister of Defence Rustem Umerov highlighted this point when I met him at the weekend,” says Minister for Defence Pål Jonson.
Sweden has previously provided Ukraine with eight Archer artillery units, while both Sweden and the United Kingdom have previously supplied Ukraine with the Arthur counter-battery radar systems. The Arthur system is engineered to detect artillery projectiles and ascertain their launch points, thus enabling a more effective response to hostile artillery fire.
Furthermore, financial assistance is being directed towards Ukraine’s defence industry through a Danish initiative, which may be allocated for 155mm ammunition or Bohdana artillery systems.
Deliveries of the Arthur systems are due to start in 2025, while deliveries of the Archer systems will start in 2026.
