Sweden Procures Over 5 Billion SEK in Artillery Ammunition Amid Geopolitical Tensions
Sweden procures artillery ammunition worth over 5 billion SEK to bolster military readiness in response to geopolitical tensions.
Key Points
- • Sweden orders artillery ammunition and propellant charges worth over 5 billion SEK, the largest since the 1980s.
- • Suppliers include Nammo and Rheinmetall Denel Munition, with deliveries starting this year and continuing until 2027.
- • The procurement aims to replenish stockpiles depleted by support for Ukraine during the ongoing conflict.
- • Defense Minister Jonson emphasizes the lessons learned from high-intensity warfare in Ukraine.
Sweden has announced a significant military procurement involving orders for artillery ammunition and propellant charges worth over 5 billion SEK (approximately $500 million). This procurement, marking the largest order of such ammunition since the 1980s, comes as the country seeks to enhance its military readiness in light of ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly due to the recent Ukraine conflict.
The order includes artillery shells and propelling charges specifically for the Archer artillery system, with deliveries scheduled to begin within this year and extend until 2027. The procurement is divided between two major suppliers: Nammo, a Norwegian defense firm, and Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM), a joint venture between Germany's Rheinmetall and South Africa's Denel. The latter's deliveries will start soon, while those from Nammo are expected to begin in 2028, consisting of 155 mm explosive shells capable of reaching distances of up to 40 kilometers.
Defense Minister Pål Jonson emphasized the importance of this procurement, stating, "It is the largest procurement in the artillery ammunition sector in over 40 years." He highlighted that the lessons learned from the Ukraine conflict underlined the necessity for substantial ammunition stockpiles to support high-intensity warfare scenarios. The ongoing conflict has resulted in Sweden adopting a proactive approach to replenish its military resources, which have been substantially affected by past donations of military equipment to Ukraine.
Minister Jonson further stated, "What we have learned from the war in Ukraine is that high-intensity warfare is large-scale, and it requires very high volumes." This acquisition is not only aimed at replenishing ammunition stockpiles but also reflects a broader strategy to strengthen Sweden's defense capabilities amidst rising security concerns in Europe.
The partnerships with Nammo and Rheinmetall Denel Munition are expected to enhance production capacity in the Nordic region, reinforcing Sweden’s commitment to improving operational readiness and securing its national defense in a rapidly changing global landscape.