United to win: Sweden and Norway pledge new military aid to Ukraine
NLAW missile launch. Photo: Illustrative / Press Service of the Operation of the United Forces
Sweden plans to allocate financial support to Ukraine in the amount of 63 million euros, or approximately 720 million crowns. Of these, 20 million euros will be directed to developing the Ukrainian defense industry. Norway will also provide a new aid package worth 500 million euros; more than half of this amount will be used for military aid.
This is reported on the Swedish government's website, and Norway's Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, stated this during his press conference with participants of the Ukraine-Northern Europe summit.
Sweden
"As part of previous packages of military aid to Ukraine, the Swedish government will provide financial support to Ukraine in the amount of 63 million euros or approximately 720 million Swedish kronor," the press release states.
As noted, about 43 million euros will go to several launched multilateral initiatives to support Ukraine's armed forces.
These initiatives may come from various coalitions, including those formed within the framework of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (commonly known as the "Ramstein format"):
- the Air Force Capability Coalition, which is currently working on procuring an air-to-air missile for the Ukrainian F–16 program.
- the Marine Coalition is actively preparing Ukrainian marines for future operations.
- the Demining Coalition is focused on acquiring equipment to remove landmines safely.
- Sweden, as a recent member, is participating in the IT Coalition, which is in the process of procuring communication equipment.
Additionally, under this support framework, Sweden will assist Ukraine through the NATO Comprehensive Assistance Package (CAP), which includes purchasing military equipment.
Another 20 million euros are planned to develop the defense industry according to the "Danish model." This mechanism provides for the purchase of Ukrainian-made defense equipment.
It should be noted that Denmark's previous support for this model allowed Ukraine to produce 18 artillery systems. Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Sweden has already provided approximately SEK 57.4 billion (almost €5 billion) in support.
Norway
Norway also announced that it would provide Ukraine with a new aid package worth 500 million euros. More than half of this amount will be used for military aid.
As Prime Minister Støre stated, during the meeting with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, the leaders of the Northern European countries got acquainted with a clear assessment of what is happening on the fronts.
At the same time, Støre clarified that his country knows how many women and children are dying in Ukraine due to Russian shells and missiles.
"That is why we want to announce a new aid package of 500 million euros, of which 350 will be directed to the military package. We will work with our Danish colleagues to implement such an initiative," the head of the Norwegian government added.
It should be noted that Norway actively provides military aid to Ukraine. It became one of the few countries that agreed to hand over its F-16 fighters.
