The Threat from Russia: Swedish Defense Minister Calls to Prepare for War

Swedish Defense Minister Paul Jonson has stated the need to strengthen preparations for an armed conflict in view of the threat from Russia.

The minister said this during a visit to Berlin, Tagesschau reports.

The head of the Swedish defense ministry noted that Russia is massively arming itself, becoming stronger militarily, and is making great strides in the development of long-range weapons and electronic warfare.

“We have to adopt a new European mindset – from peaceful thinking to war readiness,” Jonsson said before meeting with German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.

Jonson pointed to differences in defense investments among NATO member states as one of the problems.

“We talk about the diversity in defense investments in the Alliance. This is not good. I don’t want to see fragmentation of defense investments,” the minister said.

Earlier, in September, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said that the government plans to increase the country’s defense budget by 2.4 billion euros in 2026 to reach the target level of defense spending of 2%.

The increase in funding will allow Sweden to modernize its army, purchase the latest weapons and equipment, and ensure readiness for potential threats in the region.

Overall, in percentage terms, the defense budget will increase by 18%, which will allow financing important areas such as air defense, tank fleet renewal, and the purchase of new fighter jets.

In July 2025, Sweden placed the largest order for 155 mm artillery ammunition and powder charges since the Cold War.

In addition, the Swedish Armed Forces will be armed with Polish Piorun man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS).

The contract was signed in September by the Swedish Defense Materials Administration (FMV) with Mesko, a part of the Polish state defense concern PGZ.