Sweden will supply Ukraine with Tridon Mk2 air defence systems to combat drones
This has been reported by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence has announced that Sweden will supply the Defence Forces with Tridon Mk2 air defence systems. The ministry noted that these systems are intended to strengthen Ukraine’s air defence capabilities in countering ‘suicide drones’ and other aerial threats. According to the ministry, €400 million has been earmarked for their procurement, and the funds themselves are part of a new military aid package announced earlier.
The Tridon Mk2 is a mobile medium-range air defence system, first unveiled in 2024. According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence, the system operates day and night, in various weather conditions, and one of its advantages is said to be the relatively low cost per shot.
The system is equipped with a 40mm Bofors 40 Mk4 automatic cannon. According to the Ukrainian defence ministry, it engages targets at ranges of up to 12 km and can fire at a rate of up to 300 rounds per minute. It is also possible to reduce the rate of fire to 200 rounds per minute to conserve ammunition and better adapt to specific combat missions.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence specifically emphasises that the Tridon Mk2 uses ammunition with programmable detonation. These rounds explode in front of the target, creating a cloud of debris, which enhances effectiveness when engaging aerial targets, particularly drones and cruise missiles.
The Swedish government had previously clarified that the systems being prepared for Ukraine would be supplemented with control systems, Saab Giraffe 1-X sensors, spare parts and a large quantity of ammunition, including 3P ammunition with programmable detonation. Stockholm also stated that the systems are expected to begin arriving in Ukraine within 12 months.
The Swedish government reported that on 3 February 2026, Sweden and Denmark announced a joint procurement of Tridon Mk2 systems for Ukraine. The Swedish Ministry of Defence emphasised that the system is based on a new version of the 40mm Bofors gun and is mounted on a Scania all-terrain truck, although the system can also be installed on other platforms, including tracked vehicles.
According to the Swedish side, the Tridon Mk2 is suitable not only for combating drones, cruise missiles, helicopters and attack aircraft, but also for close-range protection against ground-based threats. This makes it a versatile system for protecting both military facilities and civilian infrastructure.
As a reminder, near the port of Malmö, the Swedish military detected and neutralised a Russian drone that was tracking the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle.
