Sweden Boosts Air Defense, Urges EU to Use Russian Frozen Assets for Ukraine
Amid recent incursions by Russian drones into the airspace of European countries, Sweden is significantly strengthening its defenses against drones by investing hundreds of millions of dollars in anti-drone systems.
The Gaze reports this, referring to Reuters.
“Recent violations and drone sightings are a reminder that threats from the air are an increasingly large part of modern warfare,” Swedish Defense Minister Pal Johnson said.
He added that the country will spend about 3.5 billion Swedish kronor ($367 million) to purchase new systems to shoot down drones, deploy hunting drones at air bases, and install obstacle sensors.
The decision comes in response to a wave of drone sightings in Europe that have raised concerns about possible hybrid attacks against Ukraine's allies, although Russia denies involvement.
In addition, Sweden is investing an additional 1.5 billion kronor in upgrading its JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets, including spare parts, mission equipment, and materials to support operations at air bases and temporary road bases.
The Minister emphasized that these measures increase the readiness and resilience of the Swedish Air Force in peacetime, crisis situations, and wartime, ensuring effective protection of airspace from modern threats.
Sweden also calls on the European Union to more actively promote the proposal to use frozen assets of the Russian central bank to support Ukraine, emphasizing the need for financial assistance during the war.
“We will do whatever it takes to get all countries on board” with the plan, said Swedish Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson.
The loan involves mobilizing up to €185 billion (over $214 billion) in frozen assets to cover Ukraine's budget deficits and finance some military needs.
She stressed that due to the duration of the war, some countries are acting more cautiously and are not ready to take on as active a role as Sweden and other Nordic and Baltic states.
As The Gaze informed earlier, Sweden has allocated a new large-scale humanitarian aid package worth over $116 million to Ukraine to help it prepare for winter.