Scandinavian Countries to Invest $500M in US Arms Supplies to Ukraine

Sweden, Norway, and Denmark will jointly finance a new NATO initiative to provide Ukraine with priority American weapons.

The Swedish Ministry of Defense reported that the total contribution will amount to $500 million.

According to the ministries, the initiative will ensure rapid delivery of American weapons and equipment to Ukraine, which will strengthen Ukraine’s air defense.

In particular, Ukraine will receive additional missiles for the Patriot air defense system.

“This is an important initiative of NATO and the United States. It helps Ukrainians quickly receive vital military equipment for self-defense and strengthens cooperation between the United States and European countries,” said Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

Sweden has indicated that its share of the package, which includes Patriot missiles, other air defense equipment, and anti-tank ammunition, will be $275 million.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that the Alliance is grateful to the three Scandinavian countries for funding this defense package.

New assistance mechanisms

On July 14, the United States and NATO signed an agreement that provides for the shipment of American weapons to Ukraine at the expense of European countries.

According to the military-political bloc’s Secretary General Mark Rutte, Kyiv may receive a large number of air defense systems, missiles, and ammunition as part of the deal.

In July 2024, at the NATO Summit in Washington, the Allies decided to establish the NATO Security Assistance and Training Unit for Ukraine (NSATU) to coordinate the provision of military equipment and training to Ukraine by Allies and partners.

The new structure aims to put security assistance to Ukraine on a solid footing, providing enhanced, predictable and coordinated support.

It was also decided to establish a NATO-Ukraine Joint Analysis, Training and Exercise Center (JATEC), an important pillar of practical cooperation to identify and apply lessons from Russia’s war against Ukraine and to increase Ukraine’s interoperability with NATO.