Ministry of Defence

On Tuesday 23 May, Minister for Defence Pål Jonson will take part in the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting with defence ministers in Brussels.

Tartu, Estonia 2 March 2023. Check against delivery.

On Thursday 16 March, the Government presented a strategic partnership with the United Kingdom to support Ukraine. The cooperation aims to improve logistics and maintenance of the Archer artillery units that Sweden intends to donate to Ukraine. It is proposed that eight units is to be donated, of which two are part of the maintenance system. The cooperation includes authorisation to sell 14 Archer artillery units to the UK, which allows the UK to donate the AS90 artillery system to Ukraine. An additional amending budget also includes proposals to authorise the donation of previously announced Leopard 2 battle tanks and to provide funds for the replenishment of defence equipment.

On 26 April 2023, the Swedish Defence Commission submitted a midterm report to the Minister for Defence Pål Jonson. The report was agreed upon by all political parties represented in the Riksdag. The report included three parts: a review of the implementation of the Government Bill Totalförsvaret 2021–2025 (Total Defence 2021–2025) that the Government adopted on 15 December 2020, suggestions on how Sweden should report its defence expenditures to NATO and a proposal on general guidelines for defence spending between 2026–2030. One of the main conclusions is that the next defence bill should be adopted one year earlier than planned, in 2025 instead of 2026.

In the 2023 Spring Amending Budget, the Government proposes that the Swedish Accident Investigation Authority be allocated SEK 25 million for further investigations of the M/S Estonia in 2023. As part of its investigations, the Authority will salvage the vessel’s bow ramp and photograph and film the vehicle deck.

On Wednesday 19 April, Minister for Defence Pål Jonson will receive United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III. The visit will take place at the Muskö Naval Base, where the ministers will convene for a bilateral meeting, hold a joint press conference and take part in a demonstration of the Swedish Armed Forces’ military capabilities.

Today the Government has presented investment proposals that will be included in its Spring Amending Budget. The proposals aim to create conditions for the continued growth of Sweden’s military defence and make preparations for NATO membership. Increased appropriations totalling SEK 660 million are proposed in the Spring Amending Budget for 2023. In addition, it is proposed that the Swedish Armed Forces’ authorisation to place orders be increased by SEK 16.78 billion.

Foreign direct investments are hugely important to Sweden’s business sector. At the same time, there are risks associated with foreign actors investing in protected activities. The Government has therefore today decided to refer a proposal to the Council on Legislation for a new act under which investments that involve security risks can be reviewed by a special screening authority and, if necessary, prohibited.

(New version) Sweden has pledged an additional EUR 6.8 million to the response in Syria, where the earthquakes have exacerbated an already dire humanitarian crisis. On 12 February, 300 family tents were transported to Türkiye. To date, Sweden has contributed approximately EUR 10.1 million in support for those affected by the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria.

On 7–8 March, EU defence ministers will gather for an informal meeting in Stockholm.

Today, 24 February, the Government presented a new extensive support package for Ukraine. It includes subsystems of the HAWK anti-aircraft system and essential parts of the IRIS-T anti-aircraft system, in cooperation with Germany. Sweden also intends to provide up to ten Leopard 2 battle tanks.

On 1 January, Sweden assumed the chairmanship of the Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO). As chair, Sweden is focusing on continued support to Ukraine and adapting cooperation to the new defence and security policy situation in Europe.

Opening speech by the Minister for Defence Pål Jonson at the conference on security and defence within the framework of Sweden's presidency of the EU on 30 January 2023, Uppsala. Check against delivery.

Today, Thursday 9 February, Sweden has sent an additional 45 personnel and search and rescue dogs by transport aircraft to Türkiye. This joint contribution by the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency and the Swedish Armed Forces is part of Sweden’s support to those affected by the devastating earthquakes, and a response to a request from Türkiye.

In response to the humanitarian situation following the powerful earthquakes that struck Türkiye and Syria, the Swedish Government has taken a swift decision to provide an additional SEK 30 million in humanitarian support and to contribute experts and equipment. The Government has also authorised the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency to offer support via NATO.

The Government is taking swift and resolute action in response to the earthquake that hit Türkiye and northern Syria today, through support measures and in its role as holder of the Presidency of the Council of the EU.

On Monday 6 February at 17.00, Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell and Director General for the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) Charlotte Petri Gornitzka will hold a joint press conference on Swedens support to Türkiye and Syria.

After a meeting of the new National Security Council on 24 January, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström and Minister for Defence Pål Jonson held a press conference on the NATO accession process and Swedish security.

Minister for Defence Pål Jonson and Finland’s Minister of Defence Mikko Savola have signed a Finnish-Swedish letter of intent that will enable Finland to provide Ukraine with heavy military weapons at a replacement cost of more than SEK 4.11 billion (EUR 370 million).

The Government today presented a large three-part support package to Ukraine. The package includes a procurement cooperation scheme, instructions to the Swedish Armed Forces to prepare the transfer of the Archer Artillery System, and the largest defence equipment package to date. This includes recoilless rifles with ammunition, anti-tank weapons, assault rifles, mine clearance equipment, Combat Vehicle 90 (CV90) with ammunition, and light anti-armour weapon Robot 57 (NLAW), worth SEK 4.3 billion.