Sweden wants more conscripts and a better air defense – Stubb inspired according to the defense committee – Foreign Affairs – svenska.yle.fi

The Swedish defense committee proposes that the country’s defense budget be increased by 4.5 billion euros. It is the serious security policy situation that requires a stronger defense.

The Swedish defense must grow considerably until 2030, according to the country’s defense committee, which will present its final report on Friday morning.

The number of conscripts is to grow from today’s 8,000 to 10,000 in 2030 and after that increase even more.

In addition, the country must become better at defending itself against unmanned flying craft with better air defense.

Sweden will prioritize two brigades and invest in having three mechanized brigades and one infantry brigade until 2030. A brigade is a fighting unit with approximately 5,000 soldiers and officers.

The committee believes that the security situation has tightened since last year, despite the fact that the country is now a NATO member.

– An armed attack against Sweden or our allies cannot be ruled out. We also cannot rule out that military means of force or threats of such might be used against Sweden or our allies, says Hans Wallmark (M), chairman of the Defense Committee.

The defense committee wants to further investigate whether conscripts can be included in NATO operations in peacetime.

New submarines will also be investigated, and whether the country’s submarine fleet should increase from five to six.

Defense is growing by several billions

In addition to investments in defence, according to the defense committee, Sweden must plan long-term for Sweden’s military support to Ukraine.

The defense committee’s proposal means that the contribution to military defense will grow to SEK 52.8 billion (approximately EUR 4.5 billion) in 2030. The appropriations for defense will increase to approximately 2.6 percent of GDP according to Dagens Nyheter.

The defense committee, which consists of representatives from all parties in the Riksdag, is unanimously behind the proposals.

Civil defense is also to be strengthened with nearly 3 billion euros until 2030.

When the defense committee presented its final report, chairman Hans Wallmark (M) said that Finland inspired Sweden.

– We have been inspired by President Stubb, we will prepare more and talk less, says Wallmark.

In his speech to the Swedish Riksdag, President Stubb said he wanted less warlike rhetoric, instead he called for more preparation to avoid war.

The Nordic region is gearing up

In recent months, both Norway and Denmark have announced additional investment in defence. Norway stands out with an investment of around 50 billion euros over the next twelve years.

According to Hans Wallmark, there is a lot of good in the entire Nordic region equipping itself at the same time, and now they also want to increase cooperation between the countries.

– We see how the air forces are increasingly integrated between the Nordic countries. We see it on the naval side, and then we see it with our new big exercises. On all levels, the collaboration will be deepened, says Wallmark.

Uncertainty about financing

The Defense Committee’s proposal is a basis for government decisions. But there is still no plan on exactly how the investments in defense are to be financed.

The opposition party, the Social Democrats, are disappointed that the defense committee could not agree on how the strengthened defense should be paid for.

– We have proposed a contingency tax that would primarily be paid by those with high incomes and capital gains. It would have been much more stable if there had been financing, says Hultqvist.