Sweden army to buy tanks for $2 billion from KNDS

Defence ministers of the NATO-Ukraine Council meet in Brussels

FILE PHOTO: Sweden's Defence Minister Pal Jonson speaks to the media on the day of the NATO defence ministers' meeting at the Alliance's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium June 13, 2024. REUTERS/Johanna Geron/File Photo

Source: REUTERS

Sweden's army will buy tanks from German-French defence equipment maker KNDS for 22 billion Swedish crowns ($1.97 billion), the Nordic country's government said on Thursday.

The order includes 44 Leopard 2 A8 tanks and upgrades of 66 existing tanks, the government said in a statement.

"This is an absolutely necessary investment," Johnson told public broadcaster SVT earlier, adding the tanks would help Sweden meet its goal of doubling the size of its army.

Tank deliveries will begin in 2028 and continue until 2031, according to the government statement.

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This article was produced by Reuters news agency. It has not been edited by Global South World.

By Reuters