Speech by Minster for Defence Pål Jonson at the Folk och Försvar National Conference 2026

Your Majesty, 

Your Royal Highness,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The geopolitical situation is even more serious and threatening than when we met here a year ago. Dark clouds are gathering both to the east and west. At the same time, Sweden has become a stronger country in recent years. Squeamishness about NATO, underinvestment in defence and modest support to Ukraine belong to the past.

Since 2022, Sweden has gone:

• From military non-alignment to now taking significant responsibility for security in our neighbourhood through a considerable contribution of forces to NATO in Finland, Latvia, Poland and in the Baltic Sea.
• From having underinvested in defence to increasing appropriations from SEK 75 billion to SEK 175 billion this year.
• From providing military support to Ukraine totalling some SEK 3 billion nine months into the war to now having decided on support totalling more than SEK 90 billion. Sweden was among the largest providers of support to Ukraine in 2025.
• From having been a country in which the defence industry has occasionally struggled in export markets, for example without a single Gripen contract in more than 10 years. To now being one of Europe’s most important arms suppliers, having sold JAS Gripen aircraft to Thailand, Hungary, Colombia and probably soon to Ukraine. We have also sold Golden Eye aircraft to France, submarines to Poland, Archer artillery systems to the United Kingdom and Latvia, and more than 1 000 new Combat Vehicle 90s to 10 countries. 

These are some of the reasons that Sweden is now a stalwart of the joint defence of northern Europe, together with our Allies in NATO and the EU. 

This is a historic change. And the overhaul has taken place under the Government’s leadership, but usually in broad political consensus within the Riksdag. Policy sets direction and creates conditions, but it is you, all the diligent people in total defence, who do the actual work. I would like to extend to you a warm thanks for your efforts to maintain Sweden’s security in these uncertain times. 

Building up Sweden’s total defence is the greatest and swiftest societal transformation that Sweden has undergone in several decades. But this build-up is not taking place in a vacuum. Strong public finances and political stability lay the foundations for all successful defence policy. This has given Sweden, unlike many other countries, the means to invest in its defence and provide strong support to Ukraine. After the elections in September, Sweden must still have a government that prioritises defence and is unanimous on these issues.

Yet the defence policy overhaul is far from complete. I see two areas that are essential to reinforcing our defence.

First: combat units are the core of our defence capability. They must be made stronger and there needs to be more of them. 

This requires that they be staffed, equipped and well-trained in joint exercises. The Swedish Armed Forces is already well ahead of where it was at the time of the last Defence Resolution. This is good. Personnel are the core of our defence. They need both recognition and compensation. The Government has therefore increased the daily allowance for conscripts, Home Guard soldiers and officer cadets.

The voluntary defence organisations play a key role in the build-up of our defence. One inspiring example of this is the new drone corps of the Voluntary Flying Corps. The Swedish Armed Forces should make even greater use of voluntary organisations. We are improving the conditions for this. I can now report that the Government is increasing the remuneration to these organisations by 20 per cent for 2026.

A focus on combat units also means a focus on the right materiel in the right place at the right time. The Government has tripled the authorisation for materiel orders from SEK 92 billion to SEK 289 billion in the coming years. This year, the pace of rearmament will further increase through measures such as procurement of new surface combat vessels, air defence systems rocket artillery and cruise missiles.

But orders are one thing. Swift deliveries from the defence industry to the combat forces are another. Here, I would like to issue a challenge to the European and Swedish defence industry as a whole. Production capacity must increase even further, delivery times must shorten and cost curves must flatten. Simply put, when we buy more, it must become cheaper, not more expensive. Companies that don’t step up will become irrelevant for our defence’s needs and risk being ruled out. For their part, government agencies need to place orders more quickly and with better long-term planning. In this respect, there is room for improvement on both sides.

We all have a shared responsibility to accelerate the rearmament of Sweden.

Second, a strong and modern Swedish defence requires new technology to reach the combat units much sooner. 

The war in Ukraine has shown that the capability to quickly develop and mass-produce new technology and deliver it to combat forces is essential. No one knows exactly what forms future wars will take. But one thing is certain: the battlefield of the future will be largely characterised by unmanned systems and long-range combat. Those who fail to recognise this will be dead or defeated. As we know, war is a cruel master.  

At last year’s National Conference, I presented the project GNADD for new autonomous drones, which has quickly developed autonomous drone swarms for Sweden’s defence. I can now report that the Government recently decided on a new investment in drones valued at SEK 4 billion for swift procurement of various types of unmanned systems for all branches of the armed forces.

The investment in drones includes long-range loitering munitions for combat, reconnaissance and airborne electronic warfare capability. It also includes maritime drones for mine clearance and maritime surveillance. All this is to be delivered within two years. 

We are also investing SEK 1.3 billion in Sweden’s space capability, with around 10 military satellites that will enhance the effectiveness of our unmanned systems and cruise missiles.

In conclusion: 

To the growing threat from Russia, we are now adding increased American unpredictability. An obvious conclusion is that Europe must assume greater responsibility for our own and Ukraine’s security. 

The Government has therefore allocated SEK 80 billion for support to Ukraine in the next two years. This support also enhances Sweden’s capability. Through the support, we are building up our production capacity for materiel such as ammunition, protective masks and drones. And at the same time, we are learning a great deal, not least as regards expedited training and equipping of forces. 

Everything we do in terms of military support to Ukraine, we do in a matter of weeks and months instead of years and decades, as has often been the case here at home. So let us all take inspiration from the immensely appreciated support that the Swedish Armed Forces, the Defence Materiel Administration and the Swedish Defence Research Agency have provided to Ukraine.  

And let us also draw on the lessons of how a swift defence build-up can be carried out. Simply put, we must more quickly and effectively transform funding and decisions into substantial and formidable defence capability here at home, as well. 

As we know, in uncertain times there is danger in delay. 

Thank you.