STOCKHOLM - Sweden's government said Monday that the country would spend seven billion kronor ($730 million) to buy US-made HIMARS rocket artillery for it military.
The government said in a statement that the acquisition would "enable the Swedish Armed Forces to operate over larger areas, and with greater long-range capacity than with current systems”. Defense Minister Pal Jonson told reporters that the deal covered about ten trucks equipped with launchers and a large quantity of ammunition, news agency TT reported. The first deliveries of the artillery system made by US defense giant Lockheed Martin were set for 2027, according to the government. "In light of the security situation, rapidly available capabilities are needed that complement conventional artillery systems," such as the Swedish-made Archer artillery system, the government said. Sweden also announced a joint declaration with Nordic neighbor Finland about deepening cooperation on the countries' rocket artillery systems. The Swedish government noted that Finland uses the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), which uses the same munitions and components as HIMARS. Sweden has been racing to boost its defenses after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Both Sweden and Finland dropped decades of military non-alignment and joined NATO in the wake of the invasion. (Bssnews)
