Finland Provides 24th Military Aid Package to Ukraine.

On June 28, 2024, Finland announced its 24th military aid package to Ukraine, valued at €159 million, according to the Finnish Ministry of Defense. This decision was approved by President Alexander Stubb following a government proposal.
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Finland has already sent XA-185s to the Ukrainian armed forces. (Picture source: Wikimedia)

However, the Finnish Ministry of Defense did not specify the contents of the aid, nor the mode or date of delivery.

"Finland is determined to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia's unjust aggression. This is not just about Ukraine, but about the right of all free peoples to fully exist. We Finns understand the importance of this issue from our history," stated Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen.

The total value of Finland's military aid to Ukraine has now reached €2.2 billion. Finland is part of the tank support coalition led by Poland, Germany, and Italy, as well as the IT coalition led by Estonia and Luxembourg. Additionally, Finland has joined the Czech initiative to purchase ammunition for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Over time, Finland has sent various types of military equipment to Ukraine to help resist the Russian invasion. This includes heavy artillery, ammunition, anti-aircraft systems, and various military equipment. For example, in May 2024, Finland announced a shipment of €109 million in anti-aircraft weapons and ammunition.

In April 2024, a ten-year security agreement was signed between Finland and Ukraine, providing an additional €188 million in military aid, including air defense systems and ammunition. Since the beginning of the Russian invasion in 2022, Finland has steadily increased its military support, from €190 million in the first year to €1.4 billion the following year.

Among these deliveries, armored personnel carriers such as the Sisu XA-185 were sent in September 2022. For combat engineering needs, Finland delivered six Leopard 2R mine-clearing tanks before June 2023.

In terms of self-propelled artillery, Finland provided 122mm PSH 74 (2S1 Gvozdikas) self-propelled guns in August 2023. Additionally, it sent 152mm 152 K89 (2A36 Giatsint-B) towed artillery pieces in April 2023 and 130mm 130 K54 (M-46) guns before September 2023. Heavy mortars of 120mm 120 Krh 85 92 were also delivered in August 2022.

Regarding anti-aircraft weapons, 23mm 23 ITK 61 'Sergei' (ZU-23) guns were sent in August 2022. For anti-tank weaponry, 1,500 66 KES (M72 LAW) anti-tank weapons were delivered in March 2022, followed by 112mm RSKES APILAS before April 2023.

In terms of small arms, Finland supplied 12.7mm 12,7 ItKK 96 heavy machine guns in September 2022 and 2,500 assault rifles in March 2022. These shipments demonstrate Finland's ongoing commitment to support Ukraine against Russian aggression with a wide range of sophisticated and varied military equipment.

Finland continues to play an active and crucial role in military support for Ukraine, in collaboration with other European nations, to ensure Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression.