Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson confirmed on Friday that his country would send "around" 10 of Sweden's Leopard 2A5 tanks as well as the anti-air missile systems IRIS-T and HAWK to Ukraine.

"On the initiative of Germany and after discussions with the so-called "Leopard family", we have decided to send Swedish Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, in close coordination, in particular, with Germany," he said at a joint press conference with Minister of Defense Pål Jonson, as SVT reports.

Sweden will also hand over HAWK and IRIS-T air defecse systems to Ukraine.

"We are marking today the anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This, of course, is a signal from our side to Russia, but first of all to Ukraine, that we support them by presenting today a new package of weapons," commented Minister Jonson.

"Ukraine needs air defence systems. It is essential for Ukraine that Russia does not gain dominance in the air. This is an opportunity that we must ensure in the long term," Jonson added.

On Thursday, the Swedish government announced additional aid for Ukraine worth half a billion Swedish kroner. It will be directed primarily to humanitarian efforts and the energy sector of Ukraine. In total, Sweden has allocated aid packages to Ukraine worth SEK 10.6 billion (EUR 850 million).

Earlier, the mass media reported that Sweden wanted to send ten 2A6 and 2A5 Leopard tanks for equipping two Ukrainian tank battalions.

On Friday, Poland announced that its first Leopard tanks had been delivered to Ukraine.