Special Report: Sweden's defence minister details procurement drive

A concept graphic showing a possible future Swedish uncrewed air system flying alongside a present-day Gripen, a project Saab is working on for Sweden's Future Combat Aircraft Concept programme. (Saab)

Defence expenditure across Europe is rising, with some countries spending more in real terms than at the height of the Cold War. Having joined NATO in 2024 after a long-standing policy of military non-alignment, Sweden is now undertaking the largest re-armament since the Second World War. The country has doubled its defence investment in four years and tripled its procurement figures over the last few years, with nearly 43% of the defence budget being spent on procurement and acquisition, Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson said in an interview with Janes.

Prime Minister of Sweden Ulf Kristersson said on 26 March that the government would increase defence spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2030, adding on 13 June that Sweden would reach 5% of GDP, with the additional 1.5% on non-core defence and security-related investments, but without giving a date.

Speaking to Janes in August, Jonson said Sweden's recent key defence procurements and new hardware implementations include the replacement of the Gripen C/D with the Gripen E within the Swedish Air Force (SwAF); the Royal Swedish Navy's (RSwN's) four future Luleå-class corvettes and its integration of Saab's two future Blekinge-class (A26) submarines; the upgrade of the country's infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) with the purchase of 50 CV9035 MkIIICs; and the procurement of 44 new Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks (MBTs).

“For all the domains, we are doing drastic procurement measures,” Jonson told Janes. “We are laser-focused on strengthening our ground capabilities. We are also strengthening our air force, which has been the backbone of our defence.”

Air systems