Photo: Claudio Bresciani/TT / TT NEWS AGENCY
The report with the name “Strong defense capability, Sweden as an ally” will be presented in its entirety on Friday. All eight parties in the Riksdag are included in the defense committee.
Chairman Hans Wallmark (M) begins the press conference by underlining the consensus that he believes exists in the committee’s proposal. The defense committee writes in the introduction of the report that “an armed attack against Sweden or our allies cannot be ruled out”.
– That eight parties in the Riksdag can show that they stand behind joint proposals, I think that is an important message not only within Sweden but also abroad, he says.
The committee agrees to increase the defense budget to 185 billion in 2030 in current prices. According to TT, this means an addition of SEK 52.8 billion compared to what was previously decided, of which SEK 20 million represents new proposals from the preparation. The increase must take place gradually from the year 2025.
The Defense Committee’s proposal
Three mechanized brigades and one infantry brigade essentially operational by 2030.
A new field unit, Norrland’s infantry regiment, in the war organization.
Training of conscripts is increased from 8,000 to 10,000 in 2030 and 12,000 in 2032.
The navy’s personnel is reinforced.
Expanded anti-aircraft capability.
Investment in air bases to be able to spread out the combat aircraft.
More ammo and spare parts, more hunting and cruising robots.
New territorial units, organized into about twenty companies and platoons.
More refresher training for war organization requirements.
Reinforcement to the voluntary defense organizations.
Expansion of officer training.
Source: TT
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With the increase, the defense budget is estimated to reach 2.6 percent of GDP. NATO’s requirement that the defense budget should be 2 percent, which Sweden already reaches this year, the preparation believes is not enough.
The money goes, among other things, to an expanded air defense to be able to face the threat from various types of unmanned flying craft, training of conscripts and to strengthen the navy’s personnel.
In the Riksdag’s defense decision from 2020, it is stated that Sweden must have three mechanized brigades and one reduced brigade ready by 2030.
The defense committee now wants two of the brigades to be brought forward, and for the other two to become “significantly operational” by 2030.
The report also proposes a long-term plan for military support to Ukraine.
This is how the defense budget should grow
2025: 135 billion (bdr)
2026: 142 months
2027: 153 bd
2028: 171 bd
2029: 175 bd
2030: 185 billion
Footnote: In current prices
Source: TT/The Defense Committee
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S, V and MP all three have a dissenting opinion about the financing of the supplements.
– These amounts are so large that they risk crowding out other needs in the treasury. There is a risk that nursing school care could be affected, says Peter Hultqvist (S).
One proposal is a contingency tax.
– It is incredibly important that the money does not go to any socially important actors, says Hanna Gunnarsson (V) during the press conference.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) says in a comment to TT that the investment in defense will mean “tough priorities”.
– It’s no secret that the parties on the left always see reasons to raise taxes, and that’s the case this time as well, I assume. But that is not our way forward, says Kristersson to the news agency.
– In this time of security policy, we must be able to prioritize the Swedish defense, and I understand that there is now complete agreement that it is an important political task.
READ MORE: Sweden’s defense budget is increased – despite conflict over funding
