Sweden's defense plans fall short amid russian threat
The Swedish government's proposal for defense spending by 2030 is insufficient, given Russia's threat; Swedish media warned on Wednesday that the country is not utilizing Ukraine's experiences.
8:27 AM EDT, October 16, 2024
The Swedish authorities aim for the military budget to constitute 2.6% of GDP starting in 2028. The number of people ready to defend the country (including professional soldiers, reservists, and civilians) will increase from the current 88,000 to 115,000 by 2030. According to the plan, this number should reach 130,000 by 2035.
The Swedish military is expected to have four brigades by 2030. The previous government recognized this need back in 2020, yet currently, only one brigade is ready. Defense Minister Pal Jonson admitted on Tuesday during the presentation of defense spending that the pace of military investments is too slow.
The Swedish army's defensive capabilities are to be strengthened by purchasing ammunition and military equipment.
Sweden far behind
A columnist for the newspaper "Dagens Nyheter" noted that Sweden remains far behind, while war expenditures in Putin's Russia have reached levels from the Soviet era.
Next year, Russia will increase its military spending by an amount twice the entire annual budget of the Swedish military, he emphasized.
The commentator pointed out that the Swedish government's plan does not include investments in long-range air defense, despite the needs highlighted by Ukraine and Israel's experiences.
A columnist for Svenska Dagbladet reached a similar conclusion on Wednesday, writing that the government's defense proposal is "good but insufficient."
The author cited a report from the liberal think tank Stockholm Free World Forum, whose experts indicated that 3% of GDP should be allocated to armaments. "Parties in the Riksdag (parliament) must keep Russians at a distance," he emphasized.
