Sweden is scrambling to bolster defences amid fears of Russian nukes

Sweden fears Russian nuclear attack: Nordic nation is scrambling to bolster its defences as Turkey and Hungary continue to block NATO membership

• Sweden applied to join NATO last year, but so far has seen its bid blocked
• Today, the Nordic country’s parliamentary defence committee released a report saying: ‘An armed attack against Sweden cannot be ruled out’

Sweden is scrambling to bolster its defences amid growing fears of a Russian attack, as Turkey and Hungary continue to block its bid for NATO membership.

The Nordic country’s parliamentary defence committee said today that it must focus on the growing threat posed by Russia amid its on-going invasion of Ukraine, and the possibility that the war could escalate to the point that nuclear weapons are used.

Sweden has been working to bolster its defences, having applied to join NATO last year in reaction to Vladimir Putin’s brutal invasion and increasing threats to the West.

While neighbour Finland was accepted and admitted into NATO earlier this year, Turkey and Hungary have so far held up Swedish entry into the Western alliance.

‘Swedish security and defence policy should be designed to deal with the long-term threat Russia is judged to pose to European and global security,’ the committee report said. ‘An armed attack against Sweden cannot be ruled out.’ 

Sweden is scrambling to bolster its defences amid growing fears of a Russian attack, as Turkey and Hungary continue to block its bid for NATO membership. Pictured: A Swedish soldier sits on a military boat during the Baltic Operations NATO military drills last year

The Nordic country’s parliamentary defence committee said today that it must focus on the growing threat posed by Russia amid its on-going invasion of Ukraine, and the possibility that the war could escalate to the point that nuclear weapons are used. Pictured: Swedish CV90 combat vehicles are seen during a military exercise outside Kristianstad

The all-party committee supported by security experts, which deals with major issues such as security policy, said the Ukraine war could escalate into attacks on other countries or even the use of nuclear weapons or other mass-destruction arms

The report also said ‘Russia’s aggressive actions have led to a structural and greatly deteriorated security situation. Russia has further lowered its threshold for military use of force and exhibits a high risk propensity.’

READ MORE: Car ‘packed with explosives’ is seen on top of Ukrainian dam shortly before it is destroyed ‘by Russia’ in drone images released by Kyiv 

The report entitled ‘Serious Times’ did not single out Moscow for instigating a potential attack but rather said Russia’s war in Ukraine and China’s mounting influence in Asia and the world were responsible for rising insecurity. 

The all-party committee supported by security experts, which deals with major issues such as security policy, said the Ukraine war could escalate into attacks on other countries or even the use of nuclear weapons or other mass-destruction arms.

‘The preconditions for Swedish defence policy have changed fundamentally,’ Moderate Party MP Hans Wallmark told reporters. ‘That is a realisation about policy that Swedish citizens need to carry with them. It has consequences.’

Wallmark said Russia is engaged in a ‘lengthy conflict with the entire Western world.’

Like most Western states, Sweden scaled down its defence after the end of the Cold War three decades ago but has ramped military spending back up in recent years.

It is due to meet NATO’s threshold of 2% GDP on defence spending in 2026.

While Sweden has already drastically ramped up its military readiness, more is needed, Peter Hultqvist, a member of the commission and former defence minister, told reporters on Monday.

He said the country needed a ‘bigger army’ by 2025-2030, including at least 10,000 conscripts per year, up from the current level of around 5,000 to 6,000.

Deliberations will now begin to forge an agreement on long-term defence plans, including spending, with a final committee report due in April next year.

Joining NATO would overturn Sweden’s long-time formal neutrality, although it has trained alongside NATO forces for years. 

Its eastern neighbour Finland, which has a long border with Russia, was admitted to NATO in April after applying alongside Sweden in response to the Ukraine war.

Sweden has since June 2022 been a NATO ‘invitee’, ending two centuries of military non-alignment.

But its membership has been blocked by Hungary and Turkey, the only members of the Alliance yet to ratify its bid.

A Ukrainian tank rides along the road towards position near Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Saturday, June 17

Sweden is due to meet NATO’s threshold of 2% GDP on defence spending in 2026. While it has already drastically ramped up its military readiness, more is needed, Peter Hultqvist, a member of the commission and former defence minister, told reporters on Monday

The report on Monday said: ‘An armed attack against Sweden cannot be ruled out.’. Pictured: A Swedish JAS 39 Gripen E fighter jet flies over Sweden’s Gotland island in the Baltic Sea

Only full members are covered by NATO’s Article 5 collective defence clause, under which an attack on one member is considered an attack on all.

Swedish Defence Minister Pal Jonson said on Monday that his country remains ‘very determined’ to join the military alliance, which acts as a deterrent against Russia.

‘We are very determined to become a full-fledged member of the alliance as soon as possible and by Vilnius at the latest,’ Jonson said, despite Turkey’s objections.

‘That’s our objective.’  

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