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
-
![Agile, sovereign, edge-ready: rewiring defence IT for a contested decade]()
Agile, sovereign, edge-ready: rewiring defence IT for a contested decade
Today's rapidly changing security landscape means that armed forces can no longer treat their data in the same way as in the past. What are the key challenges they face, and how can industry help them?
-
![Six critical capability gaps shaping the US Golden Dome implementation]()
Six critical capability gaps shaping the US Golden Dome implementation
How emerging technologies and capability priorities will shape America’s next-generation missile defence system.
-
![“The challenge is not demand, but delivery”: why rapid building of industrial capability is key to Europe’s future defence]()
“The challenge is not demand, but delivery”: why rapid building of industrial capability is key to Europe’s future defence
In today’s complex security landscape, military requirements are rapidly evolving across all domains. As European defence spending rises, industry is under growing pressure to expand production capacity, strengthen supply chains and accelerate delivery timelines to meet operational demand.
-
![How US Special Operations Forces are using AI to transform modern warfare]()
How US Special Operations Forces are using AI to transform modern warfare
USSOCOM is expanding the use of artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and human-machine teaming to improve decision-making, survivability and operational reach in contested environments.
