Posted On Tuesday, 26 April 2022 13:03
According to a Tweet published by "The Rage X" on April 25, 2022, and information released on the Russian social Network, Sweden could transfer a batch of Archer, a 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine. This information has not yet been officially confirmed by the Swedish government.
Swedish-made Archer 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer. (Picture source Pinterest)Swedish-made Archer 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer. (Picture source Pinterest)
According to the latest information published on Internet, since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Sweden has already supplied 10,000 AT4 light anti-tank weapons, 5,000 M90 helmets, 5,000 bulletproof vests model 12, 135,000 field rations.
Sweden is not a member of NATO, but due to the crisis in Ukraine, Sweden has expressed to join NATO in May 2022. At the end of March 2022, 72 percent of the respondents in Sweden were afraid of Russia as a superpower. By joining NATO, Sweden put itself under the protection of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
The greatest responsibility of the Alliance is to protect and defend NATO’s territory and populations. Article 5 of NATO’s founding charter, the Washington Treaty, sets out the Alliance’s collective defense commitment. It states that an attack on one shall be considered an attack on all. Article 5 has been invoked only once in NATO’s history, on 12 September 2001, the day after the terrorist attacks on the United States.
On February 27, 2022, the Swedish Government announced at a press conference that it would present proposals for direct support to Ukraine’s armed forces for an amount of around €50 million. This first aid to Ukraine included 5,000 anti-tank weapons of the AT4 anti-tank weapons, 5,000 body shields, 5,000 helmets, and 135,000 field rations with a total value of around €40 million.
With the possible delivery of the Archer 155mm howitzers to Ukraine, Sweden makes another step in its military aid to Ukraine.
The Archer is a 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer developed and designed by the company BAE Systems. The artillery system is used to provide fire support. The first prototype of the vehicle conducted the firing trials in 2005 and 2006. The Archer entered into service with the Swedish army in February 2016.
The Archer is a truck-mounted 155mm self-propelled howitzer that is based on Volvo A30D 6×6 articulated all-terrain hauler vehicle. The vehicle is armed with one 155mm 52-caliber gun. It is equipped with a fully automatic loading system including 21 ready-to-fire ammunition while 20 additional rounds are carried inside the vehicle. The 21 can all be fired in 2.5 minutes thanks to the use of the fully automated magazines.
The Archer has a firing range of up to 40 km with conventional 155mm ammunition and 60 km with precision-guided munitions including the Excalibur GPS guided munitions.
The Archer can reach a road speed of up to 70km/h. The 6x6 truck's chassis used by the Archer offers high mobility in the most difficult terrain.
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