On October 28, the Swedish government announced a €63 million aid package for Ukraine. The financial support will be allocated in two main areas: Ukraine’s domestic weapon production and multinational initiatives that support the Ukrainian military, according to the government’s press release.
Firstly, €20 million will be provided to support Ukrainian defense industry procurement, based on a Danish model. This model aims to assist Ukraine in carrying out its own defense industry acquisitions, with mechanisms in place to ensure the efficient use of the donated funds and feedback on the delivered equipment. Previous Danish support under this model has enabled Ukraine to produce 18 units of a Ukrainian artillery system. Denmark purchased Ukrainian indigenous Bohdana wheeled self-propelled howitzers for the Ukrainian Army from a local manufacturer.
Secondly, around €43 million will be directed to a number of established multilateral initiatives to rapidly and effectively support the Ukrainian military.
Examples of initiatives that may receive funding include coalitions within the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) framework, such as the Fighter Aircraft Coalition for the Ukrainian F-16 program, the Maritime Security Coalition for Ukrainian naval infantry training, the Demining Coalition for mine clearance equipment procurement, and the IT Coalition for command and control hardware.
Sweden will also contribute to NATO’s fund for Ukraine (NATO CAP), which procures military equipment, according to the report.
The Swedish government stated that by supporting Ukraine’s defense industry, the overall European defense industrial base will be strengthened, which is necessary to meet the significant needs arising from the war in Ukraine and the buildup of defense capabilities across Europe.
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