Sweden's defense budget is currently at 2.4 percent of GDP, which exceeds NATO's requirement of 2 percent. The budget is then expected to grow to 2.6 percent by 2028.
However, at the NATO summit in The Hague in June, the requirement is expected to be significantly increased. Figures between 3 and 5 percent have been mentioned.
We will need to increase significantly, I am completely convinced of that, says Kristersson to TT.
He hopes that the new NATO target will also be "clearly time-bound".
Gathering the parties
Already at the EU committee on Tuesday, Kristersson stated that the government is working on preparations for the new higher targets. The government intends to gather the parliamentary parties in the spring for joint talks on the way forward for "a stronger Swedish defense within the framework of a stronger NATO in Europe".
I will strive for broad Swedish consensus on what Sweden should do, says Kristersson to TT.
He cannot, however, say in what form the talks will take place or when in the spring they will start.
When we have come a bit closer and know roughly how the NATO discussion will unfold and what are realistic and sufficient targets, then we will also take up a discussion in Sweden, says Kristersson.
New capability goals
In addition to NATO countries now discussing a new target for member states' defense expenditures, NATO will also give member states new national capability goals - i.e. what each country should be able to deliver within the framework of NATO's collective defense.
Those targets will also be affected by how much the USA will reduce its military presence in Europe.
Sweden must absolutely be forward-looking and quickly set a course for how we reach the targets that all European NATO countries will need to reach, says Kristersson.
Financing a question
On the question of how the Swedish buildup will be financed, Kristersson responds:
It is one of the things we will discuss. Defense is a core task for the state. A country that cannot afford defense and the judiciary will get serious problems.
Kristersson also states that the discussions will concern how to create budget rules that will allow Sweden to reach the new and higher targets during a transition period.
It will not be easy, but I am not that worried. We have fundamentally very solid Swedish state finances.
Corrected: In an earlier version, the Prime Minister was given the wrong party affiliation.
