Combat boats and infantry fighting vehicles: Sweden allocates record military aid package to Ukraine

The Swedish government has announced a record tranche of military aid, which will include combat boats, armored vehicles, air defense systems, and ammunition.

Defense Minister Paul Johnson announced the package.

The new assistance package for Ukraine is a record-breaking one. The package, worth SEK 7.1 billion (about $683 million), includes the transfer of a number of weapons currently needed by the Ukrainian military.

According to the Swedish Defense Minister, the new assistance package was developed in accordance with Ukraine’s needs.

“Since we do not have unlimited resources in our own military organization, it is important to create the conditions for the delivery of newly developed defense equipment,” says Paul Johnson.

The new aid package from Sweden includes:

• 10 military assault crafts of the Stridsbåt 90 class;
• 20 Gruppbåt boats;
• Underwater weapons, including mines and torpedoes;
• RBS 70 man-portable air-defense systems;
• TOW anti-tank systems;
• Grenade launchers and ammunition for them;
• Artillery ammunition;
• Hand grenades;
• Carl Gustaf grenade launchers;
• Medical equipment;
• Ambulances.

The Swedish government will also allocate SEK 1 billion ($96.2 million) for the purchase of military equipment through various funds, as well as SEK 1 billion to order new CV90 infantry fighting vehicles for Ukraine.

The exact number of CV90 infantry fighting vehicles planned to be ordered is unknown, but given their approximate cost, it can be assumed that this could be about 10-15 combat vehicles.

Most of the above-mentioned equipment and weapons to be transferred are already in active use by the Ukrainian defense forces. Nevertheless, for the first time, Ukraine is to receive combat boats for operations in the sea.

Stridsbåt 90 is a class of high-speed 15-meter military assault craft. They can be used to quickly deliver troops (21 paratroopers) or lay naval mines.

The transfer of 20 8-meter high-speed Gruppbåt boats, also known as G-bots, was also announced. They can transport up to eight paratroopers.

In addition, within this package, Sweden will finance various educational initiatives for Ukrainians wor SEK 400 million.

In total, including the previous tranches already provided to Ukraine, Sweden has reached the mark of SEK 30 billion ($2.88 billion).