The Swedish government has presented a Total Defence Bill for the period 2025–2030 totaling SEK 170 billion ($16.4 Billion) allocated to the military defence and SEK 35.7 billion to the civil defence through 2030.
Defence expenditures will therefore already reach 2.6 per cent of GDP in 2028, a Swedish MoD release said.
Russia’s brutal war of aggression against Ukraine illustrates the destruction and strains that Sweden and its Allies could face. The Swedish Government is now building up total defence capabilities to meet these threats, the release added.
“This is a powerful Defence Resolution that will give the total defence more strength and better balance. Now the efforts to step up the pace of the defence’s growth continue,” says Minister for Defence Pål Jonson.
Four new brigades will be in place by 2030. The number of conscripts will increase to 10 000 by 2030, and then reach approximately 12 000 between 2032 and 2035.
The war organisation’s capability will be enhanced during this defence resolution period. Greater resources will be invested in renovating, modifying and extending the service life of existing materiel and filling stockpiles of ammunition, anti-aircraft munitions and supplies. New capabilities are also being introduced, including long-range capability in the form of cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles and rocket artillery.
Reinforcements for the Army
Supplementary purchases (updates) of combat vehicles and tanks are being made.
An increase of anti-aircraft capability is in progress.
Development of rocket artillery capability will begin.
More drones are being procured.
Continued additions of the previously ordered 72 Archer artillery systems.
Reinforcements for the Navy
Visby-class corvettes are undergoing a mid-term modification during this defence resolution period and, in conjunction with this modification, the five surface combat vessels will be armed with anti-aircraft missile systems.
In addition, the coastal missile capability will be expanded and organised into two units to increase both availability and durability. The units armed with anti-ship missiles are an important complement for protection of the Baltic Sea.
Procurement of new Luleå-class surface combat vessels will begin in the period 2025–2030. Once delivered, those vessels will give the Navy increased capability and capacity, and make a significant contribution to anti-aircraft capabilities.
Reinforcements for the Air Force
Three qualified S106 Globaleye reconnaissance planes will be procured for the Air Force during this defence resolution period.
Introduction of JAS Gripen 39E fighter aircraft begins in late 2024 and continues to be introduced in the armed forces during the period 2025-2030.
Additional Black Hawk HK16 utility helicopters will be procured.
Additional SK 50 (Grob) basic trainer aircraft will be procured.
Civil defense
The Government also intends to increase funding to the military defence and the civil defence to increase total defence capabilities so that Sweden can meet various threats such as cyberattacks and hybrid attacks.