Finland provides a new aid package to Ukraine
6 July, 2023 23 ItK 61 anti-aircraft gun of Finland.
2019. Finland. Photo credits: hameensanomat.fi
The President of Finland agreed to the proposal of the country's government to provide Ukraine with a new aid package. The Ministry of Defense of Finland announced his. This will be the 17th aid package from Finland.
It, like the previous ones, is aimed at strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities. The new package will include anti-aircraft weapons and ammunition. Replacing the defence materiel capabilities in this package will cost Finland an estimated EUR105 million.
The combined value of all defence materiel packages submitted so far is about EUR1.2 billion.
Ammunition with the inscription "For the freedom of Finland". Photo from open sources.
"We will continue to support Ukraine together with our allies. The outcome of the war will determine the security order of Europe and Finland for decades, which is why supporting Ukraine is an essential part of Finland's security," says Antti Hakkanen, Minister of Defence.
For security reasons, the country's Ministry of Defense does not disclose the content of the aid and the time of delivery. The Ministry of Defense noted that the needs of Ukraine were considered during the formation of the aid package. The Finnish government did not provide details about the anti-aircraft weapons, but it is likely that it regards the 23 ItK 95 anti-aircraft guns that Finland previously transferred.
Finnish 23 ItK 61 anti-aircraft gun of the ground defense of Ukraine.
August 2022, Ukraine. Photo credits: 122nd Territorial Defense Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Given the cost of the aid package, the transfer of additional Crotale NG air defense systems or Finnish Buk SAM systems that remain in the country's service is likely. While transferring equipment and weapons to Ukraine, Finland is actively re-arming its own military, buying new armored vehicles, anti-aircraft and anti-missile defense systems, and other modern weapons.
In addition, Finland recently officially became a member of NATO.