NATO's Supreme Commander: More will be required of Sweden

Nato's Supreme Commander, US General Chris Cavoli, says that membership in Nato is only the beginning for Sweden's part. Much more will be required in the future. Nato is an ongoing commitment.

» Published: January 13 2025

NATO's Supreme Commander: More will be required of Sweden
Photo: Virginia Mayo

Chris Cavoli, NATO's military commander in Europe, says in a speech at Folk och försvar in Sälen that it's going "very well" for Sweden in NATO, but that it has now become apparent to politicians that membership is not a final destination.

It requires continued investments in human capital, political capital, and financial capital, he says.

Cavoli praises Sweden for allocating 2.6 percent of GDP to defense by 2028. Like several other assessors, he does not believe it will be enough in the future.

The specific capability goals that NATO is now introducing will require more than 2 percent, more than 2.6 percent, across the entire alliance. I think it's something that's starting to sink in for everyone now, he says.

Would be challenging

Sweden will receive its new capability goals from NATO, also called capability targets, this fall.

Supreme Commander Michael Claesson states that Sweden's capability targets will be discussed at several NATO meetings during the winter and spring.

It's a bit too early to say to what extent this will challenge existing plans, says Claesson.

What is most challenging is if we were to get a capability target that requires a completely new capability. Something we don't have at all or even have an embryo of.

It would, according to the Supreme Commander, likely be challenging both in terms of time and resources.

Claesson comments on Cavoli's statement that a defense budget of 2.6 percent of GDP will not be enough as follows:

I don't want to, as a government agency head, preempt what the government will decide on this issue.

Ordered process

He states, however, that it's no secret that Europe will need to take greater responsibility for its own security. The US is expected to reduce its military engagement in Europe under President Donald Trump.

No matter what the Americans decide, the demands will increase on Europe, and it will naturally also lead to a discussion, which it already has, about setting new goals regarding percentage of GDP.

Is there a risk that the Riksdag's defense decision for 2025-2030 will need to be adjusted?

For me, it's extremely important that we don't end up in a situation where we're dismantling everything. That we can have two thoughts in our heads, says Claesson.

That we implement and build capability and at the same time have a national discussion, with authorities and the government, but also that Sweden, together with other NATO allies, has an ordered process going forward.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Suspected Murder in Hässleholm: One
1 MIN READ

Suspected Murder in Hässleholm: One Person Detained

Teenage Girl Stabbed on Bus
1 MIN READ

Teenage Girl Stabbed on Bus in Eslöv; Four Teens Arrested

Ex-Regional Official in Sweden Faces
1 MIN READ

Ex-Regional Official in Sweden Faces Charges in Pension Fund Bribery Case

Shingles Vaccine Linked to Lower
2 MIN READ

Shingles Vaccine Linked to Lower Dementia Risk in Older Adults

Critics Challenge Proposal to End
3 MIN READ

Critics Challenge Proposal to End Summer Grazing for Swedish Dairy Cows

Sweden Proposes Transparency for Lottery
1 MIN READ

Sweden Proposes Transparency for Lottery Purchases Supporting Parties

Elderly Man's Death in Gullspång
1 MIN READ

Elderly Man's Death in Gullspång Fire Investigated as Suspected Murder

Sweden Tightens Control on Opioids
1 MIN READ

Sweden Tightens Control on Opioids and Hazardous Substances

Sweden Braces for Economic Impact
2 MIN READ

Sweden Braces for Economic Impact from US Tariffs, Government Warns

Swedish Man Faces Arson Charges
1 MIN READ

Swedish Man Faces Arson Charges for House Fire in Norway

Man Charged in Fatal Lund
1 MIN READ

Man Charged in Fatal Lund Knife Attack Linked to Drug Deal

Electric Scooter Accidents Surge by
1 MIN READ

Electric Scooter Accidents Surge by 30 Percent in 2024, Young Riders Most Affected

Skåne Manager Faces Charges for
1 MIN READ

Skåne Manager Faces Charges for Embezzling Millions from Municipalities

Teen Faces Court in Sweden
2 MIN READ

Teen Faces Court in Sweden for Alleged Sect-Linked Knife Attack

Elderly Man Critically Injured in
1 MIN READ

Elderly Man Critically Injured in Kävlinge Villa Fire

Somalia Expels Swedish Aid Chief
1 MIN READ

Somalia Expels Swedish Aid Chief Anna Saleem Högberg

Sweden Proposes Tighter Security at
2 MIN READ

Sweden Proposes Tighter Security at Migration Detention Centers

Swedish Foreign Minister to Discuss
2 MIN READ

Swedish Foreign Minister to Discuss Journalist's Detention with Turkey

Casino Cosmopol in Stockholm to
1 MIN READ

Casino Cosmopol in Stockholm to Close Following Riksdag Decision

Sweden's Malmer Stenergard to Discuss
2 MIN READ

Sweden's Malmer Stenergard to Discuss Journalist's Detention with Turkey

Parents in Sweden Jailed for
1 MIN READ

Parents in Sweden Jailed for Locking Children in Basement

75-Year-Old Woman Cleared of Murder
1 MIN READ

75-Year-Old Woman Cleared of Murder Charges in Ale

Bribery Convictions in Sweden See
1 MIN READ

Bribery Convictions in Sweden See Rise in Gross Offenses

Suspect Detained in Norrköping Murder
1 MIN READ

Suspect Detained in Norrköping Murder Investigation

Sabotage Cuts Power to 500
1 MIN READ

Sabotage Cuts Power to 500 Homes in Småland, Police Investigate

Twelve Indicted in Major Scania
1 MIN READ

Twelve Indicted in Major Scania Drug Network Bust

Sun-Seeking App Trend Raises Skin
2 MIN READ

Sun-Seeking App Trend Raises Skin Cancer Concerns in Sweden

Sweden Braces for Year's Warmest
1 MIN READ

Sweden Braces for Year's Warmest Day Before Cold Snap Hits

Online Sect's Influence on Teen
4 MIN READ

Online Sect's Influence on Teen Knife Attacks Faces Court Scrutiny

Swedish Man Sentenced to 10
1 MIN READ

Swedish Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Long-Term Abuse of Relative

Man Critically Injured in Sollefteå
1 MIN READ

Man Critically Injured in Sollefteå Workplace Accident

Child Seriously Injured After Fall
1 MIN READ

Child Seriously Injured After Fall from Window in Stockholm

Sweden's Spring Covid Vaccine Campaign
2 MIN READ

Sweden's Spring Covid Vaccine Campaign Focuses on High-Risk Groups

Stockholm Police Launch Pilot to
2 MIN READ

Stockholm Police Launch Pilot to Curb Violence Against Women

Anna-Karin Hatt Declines Centre Party
1 MIN READ

Anna-Karin Hatt Declines Centre Party Leadership Role

Expert Group to Guide Västra
1 MIN READ

Expert Group to Guide Västra Götaland After Millennium System Setback

Kristersson Calls for Doubling Sweden's
3 MIN READ

Kristersson Calls for Doubling Sweden's Conscription Numbers

Woman in Her 60s Killed
1 MIN READ

Woman in Her 60s Killed in Collision with Truck Near Kristianstad

Three Men Charged in Assault
1 MIN READ

Three Men Charged in Assault and Rape Case in Kristianstad

Sweden Proposes Stricter Housing Rules
3 MIN READ

Sweden Proposes Stricter Housing Rules for New Immigrants