Ukraine's support grows: Key ally steps up aid efforts

Ukraine is set to receive a substantial boost from an unexpected ally. What does Sweden's new $1.25 billion security assistance package include for Ukraine? Let's delve into how Stockholm intends to support Kyiv.

The new Swedish security package is chalked full of military equipment the Ukrainians desperately need to continue defending their country against Vladimir Putin’s invasion, and the best item may be a type of surveillance aircraft. 

Ukraine will be getting more powerful airborne surveillance and control capabilities with the donation of two ASC 890, which the Swedish government says will “provide Ukraine with a completely new capability against both airborne and maritime targets.”

The ASC 890 surveillance planes being sent to Ukraine is an important step forward for Kyiv since it is the first time Ukraine will have the capabilities the aircraft will provide to the country since the fall of the Soviet Union, The Guardian reported.

The Swedish government noted the ASC 890s will strengthen Kyiv’s ability to identify and engage targets at a long range. Sweden intends to provide the “training, technical equipment, and methodological support for air surveillance and command and control.” 

“The donation will entail a temporary decrease of Sweden’s defense capability, which will be addressed by procuring additional S 106 GlobalEye aircraft and advancing previous orders for two new GlobalEye aircraft,” the Swedish government noted. 

Photo Credit: Wiki Commons By Airwolfhound, Globaleye, CC BY-SA 2.0

Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson said that the ASC 890 can identify incoming cruise missiles and drones and added that it would also give Ukraine The ability to identify targets both on land and at sea according to ABC News.

“The overall assessment is that a donation of the ASCC 890 radar reconnaissance and command aircraft would be the most impactful for the Ukrainian Air Force right now,” Jonsson added.

Ukraine will also receive more help when it comes to its air defense capabilities since Sweden plans to provide Kyiv with an Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (RB 99-AMRAAM).

Photo Credit: Facebook @ftjugoett

The Swedish government noted that the RB 99-AMRAAM “can be used on aircraft and in ground-based air defence systems” and added the missiles would be “redesigned to suit ground-based anti-aircraft systems.”

Photo Credit: Wiki Commons By Soldatnytt, Øvelse Seapie, CC BY 2.0

In terms of much-needed ammunition, Ukraine will receive more 155mm artillery shells from Sweden, and as with the country’s donation of an ASC 890, this new donation of ammunition will temporarily degrade Stolckholm’s defense capabilities. 

“Ukrainian field units are short on artillery ammunition,” the Swedish government wrote in a press release from the country’s Ministry of Defense. However, the release did not stipulate the number of shells Ukraine would receive. 

In addition to providing new surveillance capabilities and more artillery shells, Ukraine will also be getting Sweden's entire stock of Pansarbandvagn 302s (PBV 302) to help the country’s armed forces build several new brigades to defend against Russia. 

Photo Credit: Wiki Commons By Jorchr, Own Work, CC BY-SA 3.0

“The Ukrainian army is organizing a number of new brigades and therefore needs armoured vehicles for infantry companies. Therefore, Sweden will donate its entire stock of PBV 302,” the Swedish Ministry of Defense explained.

Sweden will also provide all “spare parts, maintenance equipment and ammunition,” for the PBV 302s. Newsweek reported that Sweden has more than 200 PBV 302s based on the 2024 Military Balance report from the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

Photo Credit: Wiki Commons By Jorchr, Own Work, CC BY-SA 3.0

Among the other important items included in what is now Sweden's 16th military support package for Ukraine is maintenance for previously donated vehicles as well as financial support and temporary programs to help Ukraine in its procurement of more material. 

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