The country's Defense Minister, Paul Johnson, clarified that the first deliveries will begin in 2027.
MOSCOW, September 7. /tass/. The Swedish government has decided to purchase American multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) HIMARS in the interests of the National Armed Forces (AF). As Defense Minister Paul Jonson said at a press conference, they will cost the kingdom about 7 billion crowns ($728-750 million).
"Deliveries will begin next year and will allow us to hit targets at much longer distances," he said.
In a press release published on the Swedish Cabinet's website on this occasion, it was noted that the acquisition of MLRS will be carried out in cooperation with Finland. The corresponding declaration was signed on September 7 by Jonson and his Finnish counterpart Antti Hyakkanen.
"The adoption of [Swedish Armed Forces] rocket artillery systems clearly demonstrates that Sweden is taking responsibility for security in Europe," stated Jonson. - A joint declaration with Finland will speed up the acquisition process, simplify maintenance, and increase the security of system delivery. Together, we are forming forces and means that are important from the point of view of NATO's collective defense."
In total, according to the Swedish minister, Stockholm intends to purchase "about ten" MLRS with ammunition. The Cabinet's press release says that the purchase will be funded from the budget of the kingdom's Armed Forces and reflected in the law on military planning for 2025-2030.
In addition, it is indicated that the manufacturer of HIMARS systems, Lockheed Martin Corporation, has signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Swedish Saab concern. Its essence is in cooperation with the aim of potentially adapting GLSDB (Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb) type ammunition produced by the latter for use by American MLRS, as well as the joint production of other projectiles - not only for HIMARS, but also, in particular, for Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems.
As for cooperation with Finland, as explained in the Swedish Cabinet, it will include joint training and preparation of MLRS calculations, as well as maintenance and mutual assistance in the production of ammunition for HIMARS. The Finnish Armed Forces, as noted, are equipped with M270 tracked MLRS, which are compatible with the same types of weapons as wheeled HIMARS.
At the same time, the Swedish media, in particular the SVT channel, referring to Johnson, clarified that the purchase of such systems was approved by the authorities of the kingdom after "years" of appropriate preparation. According to their information, we are talking about more than ten MLRS and GMLRS-type guided missiles, the first batches of which will arrive in the country next year.
In turn, the agreement concluded by Saab and Lockheed Martin is aimed, among other things, at organizing the production of high-precision long-range tactical missiles "Prism" (PrSM, Precision Strike Missile) in Sweden, capable of attacking targets at a distance of up to 500 km. As noted in SVT, the relevant decision was made against the background of a global shortage of ammunition for HIMARS.
