8 minutes agoSweden boosts military budget for 40% after tensions with Russia
Periskopi(6 years ago)
(6 years ago)Sweden will increase military spending for 40% in the next five years and double the number of citizens to be introduced into the military forces after trying to increase defence capacities following increased tensions with Russia, the country's government has said. Sweden, which is not a member of Nato [...]
Sweden, which is not a member of Nato but has strong ties to the alliance, cut military spending after the Cold War to save money.
“We have the situation in which the Russian side is ready to use military means to achieve political goals,” said Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist before reporters.
“Basing on this, we have a new geopolitical security situation to take. ”
The rise in Russian activity in the Baltic Sea has prompted Sweden to hastily launch the re-enhancing programme, which included the purchase of Patriot missiles from the US, writes Guardian, Periscopi.
Last month, the official Stockholm protested Moscow after two of its fighters entered its water territory without permission, and has repeatedly complained that the Russian military aircraft is flying too close to its aircraft and are violating airspace.
The government said the budget for the military would increase between 2021 and 2025, and the expansion of military personnel would also be financed. /Periscope
