We can establish that the security policy situation has continued to deteriorate, says Defense Minister Pål Jonson (M) at a press conference.
He mentions both increased Russian hybrid activities around Europe and the Gaza War.
The government is presenting today the part of the budget proposal that concerns military defense. The figures are in line with what the parliamentary parties agreed on in the Defense Committee in the spring.
From this year to next year, the appropriations are proposed to increase by 13 billion. The sum includes costs for re-acquiring military equipment donated to Ukraine.
ÖB's Military Council
After 2025, the budget will increase step by step to 173 billion in 2028, which is estimated to correspond to 2.6 percent of GDP. Thereafter, the defense budget is expected to remain at 2.6 percent of GDP, which is estimated to mean 186 billion kronor in 2030.
It's a high figure in an international comparison, says Jonson.
The rapidly growing budget will be used in the coming years to strengthen the defense as ÖB has proposed in its military council to the government, and with the additional measures that the Defense Committee proposed in the spring.
The investments will be included in the total defense proposal for 2025-2030, which will be presented on October 15. For example, the army is expected to have four fully operational brigades by 2030.
Support to Ukraine
The increased appropriations will also be used for already decided investments and to replace military equipment donated to Ukraine.
For example, new units of Robot 70 will be delivered next year. A decision is also expected to be made on the procurement of new artillery pieces of the Archer type, new tanks, and new combat vehicles. These are weapon systems that Sweden has donated units from to Ukraine.
The Navy will receive a modernized mine clearance vessel delivered next year, and a decision will be made on ordering new corvettes and torpedoes.
About half of the 13 billion that the defense budget will increase by to 2025 has been decided previously. Therefore, the increase in defense appropriations will occupy 6.6 billion kronor of the government's total reform space of 60 billion in next year's budget.
