Sweden announces sweeping defence bill amidst increasing geopolitical tensions

“This is a powerful defence resolution that will give the total defence more strength and better balance,” Sweden’s Defence Minister Pål Jonson said. (Leon Neal/Getty Images)

The Swedish government has introduced a sweeping Total Defence Bill for 2025–2030, committing to significant investments in military and civil defence. The move, driven by the security fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, aims to bolster Sweden’s readiness against emerging threats in northern Europe and the Arctic.

“Russia’s brutal war of aggression against Ukraine illustrates the destruction and strains that Sweden and its Allies could face,” Sweden’s Ministry of Defence said in a statement on Tuesday. 

“Russia is levelling cities, attacking civilian infrastructure and treating the civilian population like legitimate targets. The Swedish Government is now building up total defence capabilities to meet these threats.”

The bill allocates SEK 170 billion for military defence and SEK 35.7 billion for civil defence, putting Sweden’s defense spending at an expected 2.6% of GDP by 2028.

“This is a powerful defence resolution that will give the total defence more strength and better balance,” Defence Minister Pål Jonson said, stressing the need to ramp up military capabilities in light of the changing geopolitical picture in Europe.

Military Expansion and Modernization

Amongst other measures, the bill  lays out plans to plans to establish four new brigades by 2030, increasing the number of conscripts to 10,000 by 2030 and then to approximately 12,000 between 2032 and 2035.

Sweden also plans to  modernize its military assets, including replenishing ammunition stockpiles and upgrading existing combat vehicles and naval vessels. Sweden will add new long-range weapons, like cruise and anti-ship missiles, to strengthen its ability to defend itself and deter potential threats.

“Fighting units are the basis of Sweden’s contribution to NATO deterrence and collective defence,” the Defence Ministry said in its statement.

“The NATO Capability Targets already apportioned and those expected in 2025 serve as an important starting point for shaping the Swedish war organisation. The war organisation under this Defence Resolution is line with the requirements that we are expected to meet.”

A vile photo of the Swedish Navy’s stealth corvette Helsingborg. The navy will see increased personnel and new Luleå-class surface combat vessels among other measures in the new bill. (Ida Marie Odgaard / /Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images)

The North will also play a role in the enhanced defence spending with a focus on space-based surveillance and satellite communications in the Arctic.

Civil defence  and cybersecurity 

The civil defence sector will also see a major boost, with SEK 37.5 billion allocated to critical areas like food supply, energy, and health care.

“The civil defence will be built up based on the demands of war, and we aim to swiftly build up capabilities that strengthen Sweden and make our country more secure,” Civil Defence Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin said, stressing the urgency of this investment.

Cybersecurity is also a focus of Sweden’s defence plans, as cyberattacks become more common.

The government plans to establish a national cybersecurity center to prevent significant disruptions to the country’s operations in event of a breech by a hostile actor.

“Essential public services need to have the capacity to withstand cyberattacks, and information security and cybersecurity must therefore be prioritized,” the defence ministry said.

Sweden’s Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin on October 8, 2024 presenting the new version of the country’s preparedness booklet “If the crisis or war comes.” (Claudio Bresciani/TT News Agency /AFP via Getty Images)

Psychological defence will also play a key role in Sweden’s strategy.

The government said it’s working to boost the population’s willingness to defend the country and is focusing on improving resilience and personal preparedness. Additionally, Sweden will help NATO tackle threats related to cognitive warfare.

“The resilience being built up by reinforcing the civil defence is vital not only to Sweden’s security, but also to that of our Allies in NATO,” the defence ministry said. “Society’s resilience thus becomes part of NATO’s collective deterrence and defence.”

Comments, tips or story ideas? Contact Eilís at eilis.quinn(at)cbc.ca

Related stories from around the North: 

Canada : Canadian military says it has tracked, stopped China surveillance in Arctic waters, The Canadian Press

FinlandRussian cyber attacks, espionage pose growing threat to Finnish national security, Yle news

Iceland Arctic allies meet in Iceland to tackle growing security challenges, climate, Eye on the Arctic

Norway: Norway defence budget to ensure armed forces strong enough to deter Russia, The Independent Barents Observer

RussiaRussian defence minister visits naval infantry brigade near Nordic NATO border, The Independent Barents Observer 

Sweden: Exercise to strengthen Nordic cooperation on food preparedness, Radio Sweden

United States Startling video shows Russian fighter jet flying within feet of U.S. F-16 near Alaska, The Associated Press

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