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Sweden and Finland applied to join NATO in the summer as a
direct consequence of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The two
Nordic countries membership has been approved by 28 of NATO's 30
members.
"We are in a very serious security situation," Supreme Commander
of the Armed Forces Micael Byden told a news conference after
delivering spending recommendations to the government.
He said Sweden would increase it's military capacity across
land, sea and air, including more unmanned systems and increased
presence on the strategic island of Gotland. Sweden will double
its number of conscripts to 50,000 in 2035 from 24,000 in 2025.
Increased prices for military equipment, rising interest rates
and a weak Swedish currency, making purchases from abroad even
more costly, meant Sweden's expenditure on defence was estimated
to reach 2% of GDP sooner than previously estimated, the supreme
commander said.
Byden also said he recommended the government to not set any red
lines initially when joining NATO, such as not allowing NATO
bases or nuclear weapons on Swedish territory.
"To set reservations at an early stage, before we have even
joined, is to create friction and blockages and we want to avoid
that," he said.
(Reporting by Johan Ahlander; Editing by Alex Richardson)
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