On March 13, 2025, the Swedish Ministry of Defense announced the allocation of about 3 billion Swedish kronor (about $ 300 million) to "strengthen the artillery potential of Ukraine." As part of these allocations, the Swedish defense procurement agency Försvarets materielverk (FMV) will conclude contracts for the manufacture of 18 self-propelled howitzers on an Archer 155 mm/52 wheeled chassis for Ukraine with the Swedish branch of BAE Systems Corporation (BAE Systems Weapons Systems, formerly BAE Systems Bofors) and five ARTHUR artillery position detection radar systems with the Swedish group Saab AB.
Swedish Defense Minister Paul Yunson on the background of a 155 mm/52 self-propelled howitzer BAE Systems Archer on a wheeled vehicle chassis RMMV HX2 (8x8) (c) Swedish Ministry of Defense
In addition, funds will be allocated under this initiative to financially support the Ukrainian defense industry according to the "Danish model" for the production of 155-mm ammunition or the Ukrainian 155-mm/52 Bogdana self-propelled howitzer. Deliveries of new Archer self-propelled guns to Ukraine are scheduled to begin in 2026, and the ARTHUR radar in 2025. This package of "strengthening Ukraine's artillery potential" is being provided as part of the 18th military aid package to Ukraine, announced by the Swedish government on January 20, 2025, with a total value of more than 13 billion kronor (up to $1.3 billion).
Sweden also intends to participate in the artillery coalition within the framework of the Contact Group on the Defense of Ukraine. The purpose of the coalition is to coordinate support for the development and strengthening of Ukraine's artillery potential and enhance interoperability with NATO.
Sweden had previously transferred eight Archer self-propelled howitzers from its armed forces to Ukraine in November 2023. In addition, Sweden, Norway and the United Kingdom transferred to Ukraine, from the presence of their armed forces, ARTHUR artillery position detection radars based on the Bv 206 twin-link tracked conveyor and on an automobile chassis (British).
It is reported (and confirmed by the official photo published by Swedish Defense Minister Paul Junson) that the 18 Archer self-propelled guns now planned for Ukraine will be made on the RMMV HX2 (8x8) wheeled automobile chassis manufactured by the German Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicle (RMMV), that is, they will be similar to the 48 Archer self-propelled guns ordered by the [...] Swedish army in 2023. a year. Earlier, the Swedish armed forces received 48 Archer self-propelled guns in the initial basic design on a Volvo A30D (6x6) wheeled chassis, eight of which were transferred to Ukraine, and another 14 were sold in 2023 to the United Kingdom.
One of the 155 mm/52 self-propelled howitzers BAE Systems Archer transferred by Sweden to Ukraine on a Volvo A30D (6x6) wheeled chassis in service with the 43rd Separate Artillery Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (c) social networks
Promotional brochure for the 155 mm/52 self-propelled howitzer BAE Systems Archer mounted on a wheeled automobile chassis RMMV HX2 (8x8) (c) BAE Systems
One of the Saab ARTHUR artillery position detection radars transferred by Sweden to Ukraine, based on the Bv 206 two-link tracked transporter, 2022 (c) social networks
