Cooperation on Artillery, Joint Exercises and Ukraine Support

Britain continues to support Sweden’s early accession to NATO, while the two countries work together to ensure Ukraine receives the support it needs currently.

A meeting in London this week between the respective defence ministers also saw the inking of a letter of intent for the supply of 14 Swedish-built Archer self-propelled guns to the British Army. “Sweden has provided vital military aid and integral support to Ukraine and our allies through the Joint Expeditionary Force […] The UK will continue to give our full support to Sweden’s accession to NATO, fortifying Northern Europe and the Baltics against Russian aggression and expanding security challenges in the region,” stated UK Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace. “Swedish relations with the UK will be strengthened with the agreement about cooperation on artillery signed today. The British leadership when it comes to supporting Ukraine is an inspiration for all of us and both Sweden and the UK will continue to support Ukraine until victory is achieved […] The UK has shown continued political support [for Sweden] but also military presence in our neighbourhood – both bilaterally and through the JEF – pivotal to our security during the accession period,” added Swedish Defence Minister, Pål Jonson.

The defence relationship between the two nations is driven by membership of the JEF and Northern Group, as well as by the May 2022 UK-Sweden Mutual Solidarity Agreement, relating to intelligence sharing and joint training and operations. This has been supported by joint exercising of RAF Typhoons and the Swedish Air Force, as well as by visits from Royal Navy vessels, with HMS Defender and HMS Portland visiting Swedish ports last summer, and a visit by HMS Mersey earlier this month. A further port visit will be carried out by HMS Albion this year.

This spring will also see the Army join forces with the Royal Navy and RAF for Exercise Aurora. Alongside naval vessels, commandos, and RAF Typhoons, soldiers from the 1st Battalion the Mercian Regiment will train with both Swedish and Finnish troops, operating as part of a Finnish Battlegroup in Sweden.

Swedish industry has also provided important support amid the UK’s programme of providing military aid to Ukraine, with hundreds of Saab’s NLAW anti-tank weapons donated by the UK to bolster Ukraine’s capability. The UK has also announced a contract of nearly £5 million (US$6.2 million) to replenish munitions granted to Ukraine with Saab-produced Carl-Gustaf M4 recoilless rifles.

The purchase of Archer also enables the UK to support Ukraine through the donation of AS90 self-propelled guns, replacing them until the long-term Mobile Fires Platform is delivered later this decade as part of the Future Soldier modernisation programme.

The UK is committed to provide the capabilities Ukraine requires, including artillery, air defence and armoured vehicles, and to drive further international donations and secure lasting peace. The UK provided £2.3 billion in military support to Ukraine in 2022, and has already committed to sustain that level of military support into 2023.