The Swedish military will participate in a joint missile defence initiative.

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced this, The Local writes.

This regards the initiative for a joint missile defence, called the “European Sky Shield Initiative”.

“The war in Ukraine shows how important it is to have a modern air defence to protect the civilian population and infrastructure,” he says.

Kristersson emphasizes that Sweden must contribute to NATO with “new capabilities, with our air force, and our air defence”.

In addition, he noted that Sweden would be willing to contribute to NATO’s Air Policing, as well as contribute to NATO’s air patrols in the Black Sea and Iceland.

“This is a joint commitment for all members,” he accentuated.

The Prime Minister of Sweden pointed out that NATO strengthened the defence of the Baltic countries and Poland in 2017 and the defence of Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia after Russia’s attack on Ukraine last year.

“The commitment shows the determination of the whole of NATO to resist any aggression. Sweden must also be part of that determination,” he said.

As previously reported, at the end of August 2022, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz proposed creating a new joint air defense system in the European Union.

Afterwards, Scholz reported that European air defense system may be in place in 5 years.