Sweden should spend more on defense and increase the number of conscripts, lawmakers recommend

COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Sweden should increase its annual military budget by nearly 54 billion kronor by 2030 to strengthen its air defenses and beef up the number of conscripts, a Swedish parliamentary committee recommended Friday. The report by the Defense Committee, which is made up of representatives of the eight political parties sitting in the Swedish parliament, said that NATO membership and the serious security situation require higher ambitions. “An armed attack against Sweden or our allies cannot be ruled out,” the commission said in its report entitled “Strong defense capability, Sweden as an ally.” Sweden’s air defense must also be expanded to meet threats from unmanned flying craft, more hunting and cruise missiles must be purchased and the navy should receive more personnel, according to the nearly 300-page report. Swedish news agency TT quoted Defense Minister Pål Jonson saying the defense committee’s proposal was “necessary in light of the serious security policy situation in the world.” Sweden’s current military budget for 2024 is about 119 billion kronor.