Home Europe Sweden also sending Leos to Ukraine as first Polish tanks arrive

Sweden also sending Leos to Ukraine as first Polish tanks arrive

Polish Leopard 2 MBTs in Ukraine
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at the hand over of Polish Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine at an undisclosed location. Photo: Denys Shmyhal/Twitter

Sweden will be sending up to ten Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, the government said late Friday, a day after Spain and Finland pledged to send 10 and 3 of the main battle tanks to Kyiv.

The Swedish announcement coincided with the anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but also with the arrival of first Polish Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.

“Leopard 2 tanks are already in Ukraine. Together with Polish Prime Minister
Mateusz Morawiecki, we met the first tanks provided by partners,” Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal wrote in a social media post sharing the news of the arrival.

“We are grateful to Poland for the decisive steps that bring closer to victory. We are waiting for the expansion of the tank coalition,” Shmyhal added.

The tank coalition has been made possible by Germany’s decision to allow the transfer of its own tanks, as well as those in service with other European countries, to Ukraine.

The tanks Sweden plans to send will be part of a new extensive support package for Ukraine. It includes subsystems of the HAWK anti-aircraft system and essential parts of the IRIS-T anti-aircraft system, which is being delivered by Germany.

The Pentagon also acknowledged the anniversary of Ukraine’s efforts to defend itself from Russian aggression with a $2 billion arms package which focuses on uncrewed aerial systems as well as additional HIMARS ammo, 155mm artillery rounds, and munitions for laser-guided rocket systems.