Suecia elevará el gasto militar hasta niveles de la Guerra Fría | Internacional | EL PAÍS

Key Decision: Increased Military Spending

The Swedish government announced a significant increase in military spending, aiming to reach 3.5% of GDP by 2030. This decision reverses decades of declining defense investment and brings spending back to Cold War levels.

Reasons for the Increase

The increase is driven by several factors:

• Increased tension with Russia.
• Concerns about reduced US commitment to European defense.
• Sweden's recent accession to NATO.

This substantial increase will be financed through borrowing, amounting to €27.7 billion over the next decade.

Further Actions

Besides increased spending, Sweden plans to:

• Enhance the capabilities of its Coast Guard to address hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea.
• Establish two mechanized brigades in the northernmost part of the country.

The plan involves immediate purchases of anti-aircraft defense systems, artillery pieces, drones, and ammunition.

Financial Implications and Political Context

The substantial investment will be financed through loans, despite Sweden's relatively low public debt compared to the EU average. The plan has been agreed upon by the ruling coalition and the Sweden Democrats, and it includes fiscal adjustments to accommodate the increased defense spending.