Sweden will transfer Archer self-propelled guns to Ukraine

Sweden will transfer Archer self-propelled guns to Ukraine in one of the next military aid packages.

Tobias Billström, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden said this at a press conference.

According to him, Ukraine must get more offensive weapons to repel the Russian occupation, and Sweden must also contribute.

“This big autumn military aid package is to be followed by another one, and this time it will include Archers, which Ukraine clearly requested. The question is not whether we should send them, but when we will send them,” Billström said.

He also added that Sweden, as the chair of the EU, will now work to ensure that “Europe steps up” and the government is now working intensively to secure the delivery of the Archer self-propelled guns in the near future.

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson also said on January 8 that he is convinced that Sweden will supply Archer self-propelled guns to Ukraine. He said this during the national conference “People and Defense” in Sälen.

FH77 BW L52 “Archer”

Archer is a Swedish 155-mm self-propelled gun system developed by BAE Systems Bofors.

The artillery component of the Archer self-propelled guns is represented by a 155mm FH 77B gun with a 55-caliber barrel length. The autoloader allows it to release six shells in 30 seconds on different trajectories.

The Archer Artillery System is capable of firing the entire range of NATO-standard ammunition, including BONUS munition and M982 Excalibur guided projectiles, which are currently used by the artillerymen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The maximum range is 30 km with a conventional projectile (HE), 40 km with a rocket-assisted projectile (HE ER) and 60 km with an Excalibur guided projectile.

The artillery system is built on a modified Volvo A30D 6X6 all-terrain dump truck chassis.

The combat compartment and engine compartment of the combat vehicle are armored, the cabin is protected from small arms bullets and debris.