Sweden plans to double its defense budget and army size due to Russian aggression
Sweden intends to increase the strength of the Armed Forces by 2035 from current levels of 50,000 troops to future levels of 120,000 troops, as noted in a new report on national defense strategy submitted by the Swedish Armed Forces, reports The Local.
The document assumes that the overall defense budget will increase from today's 53 billion kronor ($6.5 billion) per annum to about 115 billion kronor ($14 billion) per annum by 2035.
The document, called a "prospective study", is formally published every five years and is intended to guide political decisions and determine Sweden’s overall defense strategy.
"There are several reasons to further develop military defense. Geopolitical global development is unpredictable. Russia has, through its actions in Georgia and Ukraine, shown that it does not hesitate to use military force. It [Russia] also plans to increase its military capabilities after 2020," read the statement by the Swedish Armed Forces.
The report also mentions the need to increase the number of army brigades, corvettes, submarines and fighters, as well as increased resources to strengthen Sweden’s cyber-intelligence capabilities.
Sweden has taken a number of steps to strengthen its defense in recent years, including the deployment of permanent troops on the island of Gotland and reintroducing military conscription.
As reported in January, the Nordic country plans to create a federal body to protect itself from Russian interference in Swedish elections.