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Ukraine - Archer 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer

On 19 January 2023 the Swedish Government announced that Sweden will send a new military support package to Ukraine. The package will include advanced combat vehicles, antitank missiles and the Swedish Armed Forces will be tasked to prepare the delivery of the artillery system Archer. "We are making concerted efforts in order to make sure Ukraine can regain its territorial integrity, independence and freedom", Defense Minister Pål Jonson told Radio Sweden.

The Swedish government decided to supply Ukraine with eight Archer self-propelled artillery mounts. This was reported by the TT agency on 16 March 2023. According to additional amendments to the budget submitted to Parliament, the Cabinet also requested the transfer of 10 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, which was announced back in mid-February. The total cost of installations and tanks will be just over 6 billion crowns ($570 million). This is the money that the armed forces must receive between 2024 and 2026 in order to be able to replace what was sent to Kyiv. In addition to artillery and tanks, the Ukrainian Armed Forces will also receive 50 Stridsfordon 90 infantry fighting vehicles.

In the supplementary budget, the government is also asked for permission to sell 14 Archers to the UK.

According to the calculations of the Swedes, it will take several months before Ukraine can start using Archer. It is necessary to install computers for fire control, train Ukrainian soldiers, and a "logistics hub" for maintenance and repair will be created near Ukraine.

The Archer artillery system is automatic and autonomous, that is, all artillery firing systems are integrated and the crew works protected in the cabin. The gun system is a renovated and improved version of the former Bofors-made Fälthaubits 77B. The biggest difference is the fully automatic charging system and new longer fire tube. The piece system has a high rate of fire and a long range. Ability to fire different types of grenades such as smoke, light and explosive grenades as well as the Bonus and Excalibur grenades.

The Government instructed the Swedish Armed Forces to prepare a gift of non-assigned Archer B artillery units, along with peripheral equipment and appropriate ammunition, to Ukraine.

A Swedish system that was high, if not highest, on Ukraine's wish listwas the Archer artillery system. Sweden had previously been unwilling to send this. One reason is that Sweden currently "only" had 48 Archers at its disposal. Giving away a number of them could affect the capabilities of the Swedish defense.

The Swedish Armed Forces have also been instructed to present a timetable and report on the need for international cooperation for the preparation and transfer of the relevant artillery units. In addition, the need for training in the artillery system will be assessed. In its report, the Swedish Armed Forces will also inform the Government of possible ways to replace the corresponding artillery units, peripheral equipment and ammunition, and the costs involved. The possible risks should the artillery pieces be lost or fall into the wrong hands – and how this would be dealt with – will also be assessed.

In order to lay the foundation for safe operation of the Swedish-developed Archer artillery system, the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration, FMV, has signed a framework agreement with BAE Systems Bofors AB. The agreement includes spare parts, replacement units and tools for the systems that FMV has delivered to the Swedish Armed Forces.

According to Joakim Paasikivi, the Swedish artillery system has certain advantages over the French Caesar - which Ukraine now uses. "The big difference is Archer's mobility and that the crew sits under armor protection when they shoot. So it's possible that, theoretically, they could use Archer in more dangerous places. But it is difficult to assess", he says. At the same time, he believes that sending a "new, untested and exclusive system" would pose challenges. "It also creates a need for a completely new logistics chain. You also have to solve education and things like that."

Johan Engvall and Anna Lundbladh, Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies (SCEEUS, said) : "Sending the Archer artillery system to Ukraine is something that Ukraine has eagerly awaited. It is a signal of strong Swedish support, and Sweden now joins a vanguard of states providing Ukraine with the weapon systems it needs to retake its territory and push back at a possible renewed spring offensive by Russia. The question is whether Sweden will express the same interest as Poland and Finland in sending Leopard 2 tanks as a next step."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi, who previously criticized Germany's reluctance to supply tanks to Ukraine, thanked him for the announcement on Twitter. “90 combat vehicles, Archer mobile artillery and NLAW anti-tank robots are powerful weapons that the Ukrainian army needs to liberate our country from the Russian invasion. Together towards a common victory!”

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Oleksiy Reznikov also thanked the government for the support on Twitter. "Even in the age of firearms, Archers are useful for driving the invaders out of Ukraine," he wrote.