We will need to borrow for a few years to quickly reach the levels needed, says the Finance Minister.
This is about very large amounts, many billions.
But she emphasizes that there must also be a stable financing in the long term. From 2027, changed rules for the state budget will release more billions. But it also requires, according to Svantesson, tough priorities and reallocations in the budget. She also hopes that higher growth will help.
A half percent increased growth provides 15 billion in reform space, she emphasizes.
3.5 percent
This summer, NATO countries are expected to set a new target for how much money each country should spend on its own defense, measured as a percentage of GDP. Since 2014, the benchmark has been at least 2 percent, but at the NATO summit this summer, the ambition may be raised to 3.5 percent. Sweden is on its way up to 2.6 percent now.
With a target of 3.5 percent, it would mean, roughly calculated, 60-70 billion more - in addition to the approximately 140 billion that is currently spent on defense per year.
USA support uncertain
We will have discussions with other parties, but all parties seem to understand that we really need to build Swedish defense, says Svantesson and gives some of her arguments for it:
We do not know how the support will look like from the USA or how it will look like at Ukraine's border.
The most important thing we have to do is to make the Swedish people feel safe and our country secure.
The Social Democrats have proposed establishing a total defense fund with 250 billion kronor in the fund. The party has also proposed a preparedness tax for richer households. The Finance Minister and Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson have said that there will be no talk of introducing new "harmful" taxes.
In about a month, in connection with the spring budget proposal on April 15, the government will present a plan for how the buildup will be paid for.
