Sweden outlines spending plan to 2025
A ‘deteriorating security situation’ is prompting Stockholm to invest heavily in new and expanded capabilities
The Swedish government on 15 October launched a proposal to invest in a ‘substantial increase of capabilities’ for its armed forces.
In its Totalförsvaret 2021–2025 (Total Defence 2021–2025) bill presented to parliament, Sweden aims to reactivate five army regiments and one air wing, and create a ‘new and expanded war organisation’.
The plan also includes investment in military equipment, cyber defence, ammunition and foreign intelligence capabilities.
If the bill is voted through, funding for the armed forces will grow by SEK27.5 billion by 2025 with SEK79 billion allocated to defence over the next five years.
Total Defence 2021-2025 ‘represents the largest increase in the level of ambition in defence capabilities in 70 years’, said Minister for Defence Peter Hultqvist. ‘It is a signal to the Swedish people and our neighbourhood that we are taking the security situation extremely seriously.’
He added: ‘The proposals in the bill should be seen against the background of the deteriorating security situation in Sweden’s neighbourhood and in Europe over time… An armed attack against Sweden cannot be ruled out.’
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
More from Defence Notes
-
![Companies’ results boom as countries dig deep to buy missiles and air defence systems]()
Companies’ results boom as countries dig deep to buy missiles and air defence systems
Air defence systems are continuing to appear top of countries’ shopping lists but broadly across different capabilities it is a sellers’ market, as demonstrated by backlogs and double-digit percentage point growth.
-
![Forging strong partnerships for warfighting communications in space (Studio)]()
Forging strong partnerships for warfighting communications in space (Studio)
Mike Moran, Director of US Government Business at Amazon Project Kuiper Government Solutions, highlighted the evolution of space as a critical warfighting domain at the Defence in Space Conference (DISC) 2025, held this week in London.
-
![Details revealed on Germany’s big spending plans]()
Details revealed on Germany’s big spending plans
In May this year, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the government plans to position Germany as “Europe's strongest conventional army”. A new blueprint outlines how this is going to occur through massive investment.
-
![European Council to deliver at “pace and scale” on European defence readiness 2030 roadmap]()
European Council to deliver at “pace and scale” on European defence readiness 2030 roadmap
Two of the concrete projects outlined in the readiness report, the European Air Shield and Space Shield, will aim to be launched by Q2 2026.
