Now we are taking the next big step in the buildup of the Swedish defense, says Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M).
In the budget proposal, the defense allocations are increased to approximately 175 billion in 2026, which can be compared to 148 billion kronor this year.
The increase in allocations of 26.6 billion kronor consists partly of previously made decisions on allocation increases, but also of a supplement of ten new billion that the state finances through loans.
Increased compensation
The money will largely be used to pay for the purchase of military equipment. During next year, the army will acquire more air defense, rocket artillery, ammunition, and combat vehicles. The Navy's new surface combat ships and combat boats. And the Air Force will invest in tactical transport aircraft and long-range combat capability.
It also costs a lot of money to build up and train the war units.
But the money will also be used to invest in the defense personnel. The daily allowance for both conscripts and officer cadets will be increased: from 146 to 200 kronor per day for conscripts, and from 175 to 240 kronor per day for officer cadets.
This strengthens the possibility of personnel supply for the war units that we have, says Defense Minister Pål Jonson (M).
SD leader Jimmie Åkesson states that the increase in daily allowance is the first since conscription was reintroduced in 2017.
It is a first step to improve the working conditions for those who make a significant and extremely important effort for Sweden, he says.
More is needed
The fact that part of the buildup is now financed with loans is done to reach NATO's goal of a defense budget of 3.5 percent of GDP by 2030 - without other initiatives in the state budget being pushed aside to too great an extent.
The increase in allocations next year means that Sweden will have a defense budget equivalent to 2.8 percent of GDP in 2026.
Until 2028, Sweden is expected to reach 3.1 percent of GDP with the allocation increases that are now planned.
Probably, further allocation increases in the future will be paid for by expanding loan financing beyond the ten billion per year that the government now proposes.
The eight Riksdag parties agreed in the spring that the state should be allowed to borrow up to a total of 250 billion kronor to accelerate the buildup over the next ten years.
The idea is that the loan financing after 2030 should gradually be phased out and instead be paid through the state budget.
