Sweden Set to Substantially Enhance Military Capabilities by 2030
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Helsinki, Dec 18 (NationPress) Sweden's Parliament has sanctioned a new defence strategy, raising the military budget from 125 billion SEK (11.42 billion US dollars) in 2024 to 186 billion SEK by 2030.
According to Defense Minister Pal Jonson, as reported by Swedish broadcaster SVT, Sweden is among the NATO nations that are increasing defence expenditures at the highest rates.
The plan emphasizes enhancing stocks of ammunition, missiles, and spare parts. It also preserves the existing organization of the armed forces: four brigades for the army, seven corvettes and five submarines for the navy, and six fighter divisions for the air force.
Sweden's defence personnel is projected to increase from 88,000 to 130,000 by 2035. Annual conscription will rise from 5,000 to 12,000 recruits, along with substantial investments in drones, long-range missiles, and advanced radar systems, according to Xinhua news agency.
On December 13, Swedish lawmakers approved the country's long-term involvement in NATO's multinational brigade stationed in Latvia, as informed by the Latvian Defense Ministry.
Sweden plans to send a mechanized infantry battalion of up to 600 personnel to this multinational unit in Latvia.
Swedish troops are expected to arrive in early 2025, marking the first deployment of Swedish forces to another allied nation since joining NATO in March 2024.
Upon becoming part of the alliance, Sweden expressed its commitment to contributing a combat battalion to the NATO multinational brigade in Latvia.
The NATO brigade in Latvia currently consists of forces from 13 member states: Albania, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Iceland, Italy, Canada, Latvia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain.
In November, Sweden and Poland announced a new strategic partnership during the visit of Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson's office revealed that this new alliance involves the two nations enhancing their collaboration in security and defence, as well as in innovation and competitiveness.
Kristersson emphasized that closer cooperation on security and defence in a broad sense forms the foundation of the renewed strategic partnership between Sweden and Poland.
