What howitzers and anti-aircraft guns will the Swedes send to Kiev in a new package of military assistance

Alexander Sychev

This time, Stockholm intends to increase its involvement in the conflict by including in the list of deliveries heavy artillery weapons - self-propelled howitzers FH77BW L52 Archer ("Archer"), as well as man-portable anti-aircraft missile systems RBS 70.

"Archer" - 155 mm self-propelled artillery system. Its distinguishing feature from other Western similar guns is the complete automation of the howitzer loading process during firing. The crew consists of three people. Of these, only one controls the gun. During the shooting, the entire crew is in the armored cab of the vehicle, which provides protection from bullets and shrapnel.

The howitzer is mounted on a Volvo A30D all-terrain vehicle. He is able to move on difficult rough terrain and develops speeds up to 70 kilometers per hour. The howitzer is accompanied by an all-terrain vehicle with a container for transporting shells.

It takes less than 30 seconds to prepare a gun for firing after arriving at a position and about the same time to leave it. Conventional munitions fly up to 40 kilometers, while high-precision guided ones, including the American M982 Excalibur, which is suitable for firing from the Archer, approximately 50 kilometers. Ammunition Archer, 21 shots, the gun can fire in 2.5 minutes.

The Swedes also intend to include the portable air defense system (MANPADS) RBS 70 (Robotsystem 70) in the upcoming assistance package. The complex was created by Bofors Defense (since 2000 Saab Bofors Dynamics). It uses the RB 70 missile, which is also used in a number of other Swedish missile systems. In 2003, the RB 70 was upgraded, increasing, in particular, the flight speed to Mach 2. The missile strikes at a distance of up to eight kilometers, and in height - six kilometers. A guided missile is placed in a fiberglass transport and launch tube.

The team consists of two soldiers. One works with the launcher and carries a frame with a control unit, and the other carries two containers with missiles. Preparation for shooting takes about half a minute.

The RBS 70 is most effective with external radar systems that provide target designation. The Swedish army uses the PS 70 Giraffe radar for this, but data can also be received from some other detection systems. Data from the radar are displayed on the MANPADS display. Further guidance of the missile on the target is carried out using a laser. The shooter only needs to keep the target in the crosshairs of the sight.

When a target enters the radius of operation of a non-contact fuse, the fragmentation warhead of the rocket is undermined. In the event of a direct hit, the warhead is detonated by an impact fuse. According to the manufacturer, the probability of hitting reaches 90 - 95 percent. Another feature of the RBS 70 is the ability to fire at ground targets.