Experience from Ukraine shows that the civilian population suffers greatly from Russian airstrikes.
If there is a war in the traditional sense, civilian infrastructure will absolutely not be spared, says Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M).
The government is now investing 15 billion kronor to further strengthen and broaden the Swedish air defense.
The money will be used to enable the Swedish Armed Forces to set up a number of air-defense companies that will be mobile but tied to defined geographical areas.
Until now, the Swedish air defense has mainly been concerned with protecting military units and military infrastructure against attacks from fighter jets, missiles and drones. For example, billions of kronor have been invested in the past year to protect army brigades and navy corvettes.
Both military and civilian
The new territorial air-defense companies will also protect military units and the military's mobilization capabilities. However, according to the government, they will also be able to protect civilian infrastructure, such as ports, bridges, hospitals, nuclear power plants and cities.
The air-defense systems that the companies will be equipped with will be short-range. They can primarily be used against helicopters, drones, and low-flying fighter jets. However, they cannot be used against high-altitude missiles or fighter jets.
"This is a complement to what we already have. We have invested large sums of money in purchasing more potent air defense systems that protect against other dangers," says Kristersson.
Over the past three years, the government has decided on investments in the area worth nearly 40 billion kronor, for example short- and medium-range air-defense systems of the IRIS-T type for the army and CAMM missiles for the corvettes.
Since 2023, Sweden has had two Patriot missile batteries, which can be used against medium- and long-range missiles.
Great needs
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said last summer that NATO countries need to increase their air and missile defenses by 400 percent on average.
The Social Democrats' defense policy spokesman Peter Hultqvist welcomes the government's new initiative, but also criticizes it.
This will not cover the broad and large needs that exist.
An initial order for the new air-defense system from industry is planned for the first quarter of 2026. The 15 billion that is being allocated is included in the already agreed budget framework for defense in the coming years.
