Sweden has announced plans to invest 15 billion Swedish crowns (US$1.6 billion) in new air defence systems, underscoring a broader push by European nations to strengthen security in response to heightened regional threats following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Swedish government said the funding will be directed primarily toward protecting civilians and key civilian infrastructure, including cities, bridges, power plants and transport hubs, which officials acknowledge remain vulnerable to aerial attacks across the country’s vast territory.
Speaking at a security conference in northern Sweden on Sunday, Defence Minister Pål Jonson said lessons from the war in Ukraine had reshaped Europe’s understanding of modern warfare.
“The experience from the war in Ukraine clearly shows how crucial a robust and resilient air defence is,” Jonson told reporters, adding that Sweden would prioritise the acquisition of short-range air defence systems capable of countering drones, missiles and aircraft.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Sweden, now a NATO member, has sharply increased defence spending, aligning with a wider European rearmament trend driven by concerns over regional stability and the protection of civilian populations.
While Sweden has historically focused on territorial defence, officials have acknowledged that air defence coverage has lagged behind other capabilities, leaving gaps over major population centres and critical infrastructure. The new investment is expected to address those shortcomings and improve Sweden’s ability to respond quickly to airborne threats.
The announcement came amid broader geopolitical tensions involving NATO allies. On the same day, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson criticised what he described as “threatening rhetoric” from the United States toward Greenland and Denmark, stressing that Denmark remains a loyal ally that deserves respect.
Although Sweden’s air defence upgrade is not linked to any single country, government officials have framed the move as part of a long-term effort to ensure national resilience in an increasingly volatile security environment.
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