Sweden Plans 1.6B USD Air Defence Push to Protect Key Sites

Sweden will invest 15 billion Swedish crowns ($1.6 billion) in new air defence systems to strengthen protection for civilians and critical infrastructure, the government said, as European countries continue to reassess security needs following Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The funding, announced at a security conference in northern Sweden, will be used mainly to acquire short-range air defence systems. These systems are designed to counter threats such as drones, aircraft and cruise missiles, which have increasingly targeted cities, energy facilities and transport links in modern conflicts.

Defence Minister Pal Jonson said the war in Ukraine has demonstrated the importance of air defence in safeguarding society as well as military assets. He noted that attacks on civilian infrastructure have become a central feature of warfare, making air defence a key element of national resilience.

• Sweden to invest $1.6B in air defence systems to protect civilians and critical infrastructure.
• Ukraine war lessons drive Sweden’s push for short-range air defence against modern threats.
• Sweden boosts air defence as part of wider NATO-linked military build-up in Europe

Sweden’s large geographic area presents additional challenges, defence officials said, increasing the need for mobile and flexible systems that can be deployed quickly to protect vulnerable locations, including urban centres, bridges, ports and power installations.

The investment forms part of Sweden’s broader defence build-up after joining NATO in 2024. Like many European countries, Sweden has raised military spending sharply in response to the security environment created by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and concerns about long-term regional stability.

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, speaking at the same event, also addressed wider security and alliance issues. He criticised what he described as threatening rhetoric directed at Greenland and Denmark, and stressed the importance of respecting Denmark as a close and reliable ally.

Across Europe, governments are placing greater emphasis on air and missile defence, particularly systems that can deal with low-altitude and short-range threats. Such capabilities are seen as essential for protecting civilian populations and ensuring that essential services continue to function during crises.

Also Read: Nepal Caps Cash Transactions at NPR 500,000 to Curb AML Risks

Swedish officials said the new investment will close existing capability gaps and strengthen both national defence and civil protection, ensuring that the country is better prepared to respond to evolving security risks in the coming years.