Sweden has been supporting Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion (-> current news from the Ukraine war) by supplying weapons, training and logistical assistance. Now a new aid package worth a good 100 million euros (1.2 billion Swedish kronor) has been put together, which includes portable MANPADS RBS-70 (-> MANPADS: Small missiles with a big impact) as well as self-propelled, single-barrel 40-millimeter Tridon Mk2 anti-aircraft guns.
The Tridon Mk2 is based on the classic Swedish design of the Bofors 40 L 60/70, which has been used since the Second World War. Second World War in service worldwide – for example as the 4-centimeter FlaK 28 in the German Wehrmacht, in the air defence battalions of the German Armed Forces and also in the navy. The Austrian Armed Forces also used 60 of the Flak 40 millimeter L70 FL in fixed installations. The “Bofors Gun” is still used today in various versions by many armies.
Modernized several times BAE Systems presented the Tridon Mk2 as the Mk4 on a Scania truck chassis at Eurosatory 2024 (-> report) – for greater mobility, flexibility and short dwell times at a deployment site. With a cadence of up to 330 rounds per minute and programmable Bofors 3P detonation projectiles, the system offers particularly high effectiveness against fast, maneuverable air targets at low altitudes. This is intended to significantly strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities against Russian air and drone attacks.
