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The Government presents defence investments for a stronger Sweden

Government Offices of Sweden

Press release from Ministry of Defence

Published 15 September 2025

The prevailing security situation is more serious than it has been in several decades, and Russia constitutes a multi-dimensional threat to Sweden. The Government is therefore implementing historic investments in defence. Together with previous budgetary expansions, appropriations increase by SEK 26.6 billion in the Budget Bill for 2026. This corresponds to an increase of 18 per cent over 2025. These proposals and increases broadly strengthen Sweden's defence capability.

A stronger Sweden

The Government is now carrying out the most comprehensive reinforcement of Sweden's defence since the Cold War. The aim is to protect Sweden and its people. The investments bolster Sweden's military, civilian and economic strength. The substantially increased defence budget, investments in innovation and expansion of Sweden's defence industry also create opportunities for technological advancement that benefit the entire country. This also creates thousands of employment opportunities, having already accounted for 6 000 new defence industry jobs in 2024.

Sweden must continue to build up its military capability and meet its materiel and personnel targets. Through joint exercises, combat units must be able to meet requirements necessitated by international developments.

According to current GDP forecasts and proposed and estimated appropriations in the Budget Bill for 2026, defence expenditures are expected to correspond to 2.8 per cent of GDP in 2026, according to NATO's definition. As of 2028, appropriations are expected to correspond to 3.1 per cent of GDP.

Together with previous budgetary expansions, appropriations increase by SEK 26.6 billion in the Budget Bill for 2026. In this Budget Bill, the Government proposes that appropriations for military defence increase by SEK 10 billion.

Sweden's defence must continue to grow in parallel with increased utilisation of the war organisation; this includes participation in NATO's deterrence and defence measures, adaptations to improve national preparedness and continued military support to Ukraine. Defence expansion also means enhancing the defence industry and recruiting more qualified personnel to the war organisation.

The Government intends to take the additional steps needed in future budget bills to reach the 3.5 per cent spending target by 2030. This will take place based on in-depth analyses and reports from the defence agencies and future GDP growth.

Initiatives targeting Swedish Armed Forces personnel

Growth of the Swedish Armed Forces entails increased personnel needs. A key part of this is attracting, recruiting, developing and retaining personnel.

Increased compensation for total defence conscripts and officer candidates

Conditions for total defence conscripts must be reasonable. The daily allowance has remained unchanged since it was last increased in 2017. The Government now proposes increasing the daily allowance for conscripts and compensation for officer cadets.

It is proposed that the daily allowance for total defence conscripts increase from the current level to SEK 200. To fund this, the Government proposes that increasing appropriation 1:1 by SEK 338 million for 2026. The appropriation is projected to increase by an estimated SEK 358 million in 2027 and SEK 377 million in 2028. This corresponds to SEK 1 620 more per month for a conscript.

The Government proposes increasing the cadet compensation for officer candidates by the same percentage as the daily allowance, from SEK 175 to SEK 240 per day.

This proposal entails additional funding to the Swedish Armed Forces via appropriation 1:1 corresponding to SEK 44 million for 2026. The appropriation is expected to increase by SEK 46.6 million per year starting in 2027. This corresponds to SEK 1 950 per month for a cadet.

The legislative amendments will enter into force at the start of 2026.

The Swedish Defence Conscription and Assessment Agency

To develop a new enrolment examination and new information system for total defence conscripts, the Swedish Defence Conscription and Assessment Agency's appropriation will increase by SEK 4.5 million in 2026, SEK 10.4 million in 2027 and SEK 9 million per year starting in 2028.

To implement measures to increase preparedness and expand the civilian service, the appropriation will increase by SEK 13.5 million in 2026, SEK 5 million in 2027 and SEK 15 million per year starting in 2028.

Defence materiel investments

Together with previous budget increases, the appropriation for materiel and facilities will increase by almost SEK 12 billion over 2025.

The Government proposes that the appropriation for procurement of materiel and facilities increase by just over SEK 4.7 billion as a step towards achieving NATO's new spending target of 3.5 per cent of GDP. The Government will announce how those funds will be allocated at a later time.

Of the increased resources to military defence, the Government proposes increasing appropriation 1.3 by SEK 4.7 billion in 2026, SEK 6.7 billion in 2027 and SEK 7.5 billion in 2028.

Larger procurements expected in 2026

• Army: air defence systems, rocket artillery, ammunition and combat vehicles
• Marines: new surface combat vessels and combat vessels
• Air Force: tactical transport aircraft and long-range combat capability

Investments in industry, research and innovation

Defence rearmament and support to Ukraine require a strong Swedish defence industry. Lessons from the war in Ukraine underscore the importance of being able to quickly develop military capability. The Budget Bill for 2026 includes investments in a defence innovation unit, research infrastructure and groundbreaking technologies worthy of protection. This creates opportunities for the defence industry to become more effective and innovative.

The Government also proposes allocating an additional SEK 50 million starting in 2026 to fund an enhanced materiel development programme.

To establish a new defence industry establishment and cooperation office, the Government will allocate SEK 3 million in 2026, SEK 5 million in 2027 and SEK 6 million per year starting in 2028.

To establish a defence innovation unit, appropriation 1:9 Swedish Defence Research Agency will increase by SEK 6 million in 2026 and SEK 10 million per year starting in 2027.

These proposals are based on an agreement between the Government and the Sweden Democrats.