Sweden’s Defense Ministry announced on Friday its 14th aid package, valued at approximately two billion Krona. Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist revealed at a press conference that the nation will dispatch a new military support package to Ukraine, principally comprising ammunition and spare parts for systems previously donated, with an overall value of 2.2 billion Swedish Krona ($199.44 million).
Interestingly, Sweden’s support comes with a stipulation linked to Ukraine’s aspiration towards NATO membership, concerning the supply of Gripen fighter jets. Last September, Swedish public radio reported that the government was contemplating donating Gripen fighter aircraft, manufactured by the Swedish company Saab, to Ukraine. This followed after Kyiv expressed its hope to acquire these jet fighters.
Furthermore, Sweden offered Ukrainian pilots an opportunity to test the fighter jets this year. However, the government also emphasized its necessity to retain all its aircraft for defending Swedish territory.
According to the Swedish government’s website, since February 2022, Sweden has contributed over 25 billion Swedish Krona (approximately 2.1 billion Euro) to various initiatives supporting Ukraine, with the breakdown as follows:
– Military support: 20 billion Swedish Krona (about 1.69 billion Euro)
– Humanitarian aid: 2.04 billion Krona (approximately 175 million Euro)
– Financial aid: 1.10 billion Krona (around 94 million Euro)
– Civil crisis management: 800 million Krona (approximately 68.5 million Euro)
– Reconstruction: 765 million Krona (about 65.5 million Euro)
– Reform support: 335 million Krona (around 28.7 million Euro)
– Support for media, cybersecurity, accountability, gender equality, etc.: 256 million Krona (about 22 million Euro)
The last Swedish aid package to Ukraine was presented last August, wherein the Defense Minister announced an intention to provide a new military aid package to Ukraine, valued at 3.4 billion Krona (equivalent to 313.5 million dollars).
In light of the ongoing conflict and tensions in the region, this robust support from Sweden is indicative of its solidarity with Ukraine. The specific condition of providing Gripen jets only upon Ukraine’s acceptance into NATO underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics at play.
