A Swedish Armed Forces highly mobile Archer Artillery System fires a round at a demonstration for U.S. Soldiers and Airmen on Nov. 15, 2021, at Camp Atterbury, IN. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Bryan Myhr)
STOCKHOLM — Sweden has signed contracts worth over 5 billion Swedish kronor ($523 million) for artillery ammunition, marking its largest investment in such munitions since the 1980s.
The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) inked deals with manufacturers Nammo and Rheinmetall Denel Munition to secure a substantial supply of artillery shells, aiming to enhance the nation’s defense capabilities amid global shortages.
With this order “we strengthen Sweden’s defense capability,” Defense Minister Pål Jonson stated in the press release Tuesday, emphasizing the commitment’s strategic importance.
The contracts ensure deliveries of shells starting in 2025, bolstering the Swedish Armed Forces endurance and securing critical supplies.
The agreement with Rheinmetall Denel Munition, a subsidiary of Germany’s Rheinmetall and South Africa’s Denel, is valued at over 4 billion SEK and includes shells and propellants for Sweden’s Archer artillery system, with deliveries planned for 2025–2027.
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A separate framework deal with Nordic manufacturer Nammo Sweden includes a 1 billion SEK order for 155 mm high-explosive extended-range shells (HE-ER), capable of reaching 40 kilometers (25 miles) with deliveries set for 2028.
The orders address what the government called international ammunition shortages, worsened by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and aims to reinforce Sweden’s long-term supply chain through dual suppliers. The Nammo deal also builds on EU-backed efforts to expand Nordic ammunition production.
Additionally, the government on Thursday last week, said it has approved $157 million (1.5 billion SEK) procurement of defense materiel to support Ukraine. The intense artillery warfare in Ukraine has rapidly worn out gun barrels, so the package includes over 10 new barrels for the previously donated Archer artillery system, long-range ground combat capabilities, underwater systems, and logistics equipment.
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Ukraine has requested replacements for the eight Archer systems actively used for an extended period. The decision allows the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to expand an existing order of gun barrels already in production for both Ukrainian and Swedish Archer systems and implements parts of Sweden’s previously announced aid packages for Ukraine.
As previously stated in the agreement with the political opposition, the government will propose in the 2026 budget a gradual increase in core military defense spending to achieve NATO’s new target of 3.5 percent of GDP by 2032 at the latest. Additionally, 1.5 percent of GDP will be allocated for broader defense-related investments.
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Author: Jonas Olsson
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