MilitarySpend
Defense Economics Research

Rank #25 · Europe

Sweden military spending in 2026.

Sweden spent $16.5B on defense in 2025 (2.5% of GDP), its first full year as a NATO member after accession on 7 March 2024. The Riksdag's 2025-2030 Defence Resolution adds over SEK 170B to military defense and SEK 37.5B to civil defense, with the government committing to NATO's new 5%-of-GDP target by 2035.

Rank #25 · Europe
2026 spend2025
Per capita
$1,564
% of GDP
2.5%
YoY
▲14.0%
2.5%
of GDP
Burden gauge · ring fills at 10% of GDP
Global comparison

Sweden vs the top 5 spenders

#1 United States
$954.0B
#2 China
$336.0B
#3 Russia
$190.0B
#4 Germany
$114.0B
#5 India
$92.1B
#25 Sweden
$16.5B
Force composition

58K personnel

2025
Active duty
26K
45%
Reserve
32K
55%
Global ranking

#25 of 100 tracked countries

Sorted by 2026 spend
#1#50#100

Budget context

The 2025 enacted military defense budget reached approximately SEK 138B (around 2.5% of GDP), with civil defense additionally funded at roughly SEK 15B. Sweden's Defence Resolution 2025-2030, passed in late 2024, adds SEK 170B+ to military defense over the period and SEK 37.5B to civil defense, lifting the burden to 2.6% by 2028. PM Ulf Kristersson formalized Sweden's commitment to NATO's new Hague-summit 5% target (3.5% core defense + 1.5% defense-related infrastructure) by 2035. Procurement priorities: JAS 39E Gripen serial deliveries, GlobalEye AEW&C, A26 submarines, CV90 upgrades, Patriot air defense, and counter-drone capabilities. A March 2025 supplementary allocation provided SEK 5.5B (~$525M) for counter-drone and Gripen readiness.

Force structure

Active strength is approximately 26,000 with conscription reintroduced in 2017 and steadily expanding (target ~10,000 conscripts annually by 2030). The Hemvärnet (Home Guard) provides ~22,000 territorial reservists. The Air Force flies ~70 JAS 39C/D Gripens with the JAS 39E entering service after the October 2025 ceremonial handover at Skaraborg Wing F7; serial E deliveries run 2025-2030. The Navy operates 5 Visby-class corvettes and 4 Gotland/Södermanland-class submarines, with 2 A26 Blekinge-class submarines under construction. The Army fields CV90 IFVs, Stridsvagn 122 (Leopard 2A5) MBTs, and Archer self-propelled artillery. Sweden has reactivated the Gotland regiment and is rebuilding total defence territorial structures.

Industrial posture

Sweden runs one of Europe's most capable indigenous defense industries despite its small population. Saab leads with the JAS 39 Gripen fighter, GlobalEye AEW&C, A26 submarines, RBS-15 anti-ship missile, Carl Gustaf and AT4 recoilless weapons, and the Giraffe family of radars. BAE Systems Hägglunds (Örnsköldsvik) builds the CV90 and BvS10. BAE Bofors produces Archer artillery. Saab's order book has roughly doubled since 2022, driven by Eastern European Gripen and CV90 procurements (Czechia, Slovakia, Latvia) and Carl Gustaf demand from Ukraine. Sweden is among Europe's top 5 arms exporters relative to GDP.

Conflict exposure

Sweden has no active combat engagements but is now a NATO front-line state in the Baltic. Russia's Northern Fleet, Kaliningrad enclave, and the Leningrad Military District (reactivated 2024) all generate continuous threat tasking. Russian airspace incursions, GPS jamming over the Baltic, and suspected sabotage of Baltic Sea cables (Nord Stream, EstLink-2, BCS East-West) drive Sweden's posture. Gotland's strategic value as the dominant Baltic Sea position has been re-emphasized with permanent garrisoning. Sweden contributes Gripens to NATO air policing and is a major financial and military backer of Ukraine, with cumulative aid exceeding SEK 90B.

Recent developments

On April 27, 2026 SIPRI placed Sweden's 2025 spending at $16.5B. The first JAS 39E Gripen handover took place at F7 Såtenäs on October 20, 2025. In June 2025 PM Kristersson confirmed Sweden would meet NATO's 5%-of-GDP target by 2035 following the Hague summit. A March 2025 SEK 5.5B counter-drone and Gripen-readiness package was announced in response to repeated Russian drone incursions over allied territory. The 2026 budget, presented in autumn 2025, sets military defense at 2.8% of GDP. Saab booked record export orders in 2025, including additional Gripen E sales to Colombia (15 aircraft) and CV90 follow-ons.

Frequently asked questions

When did Sweden join NATO?

Sweden became NATO's 32nd member on March 7, 2024, ending more than 200 years of formal non-alignment. Hungarian ratification was the final step. 2025 was therefore Sweden's first full calendar year as a NATO ally.

What is the JAS 39 Gripen E?

The JAS 39 Gripen E is the latest variant of Saab's single-engine multirole fighter, with new GE F414 engine, AESA radar, expanded weapons load, and Meteor BVRAAM integration. Sweden took delivery of the first operational E-models at Skaraborg Wing F7 on October 20, 2025; serial deliveries run 2025-2030.

What is Sweden's "Total Defence" concept?

Total Defence (totalförsvar) integrates military defence with civil defence — covering preparedness of public services, energy, food, healthcare, and population protection. Reactivated in 2015 and strengthened in the 2025-2030 Defence Resolution with an additional SEK 37.5B for civil defence.

How much military aid has Sweden given Ukraine?

Cumulative Swedish military and financial support to Ukraine exceeds SEK 90B (approx US$8.5B), including CV90 IFVs, Archer artillery, Carl Gustaf rockets, Robot 70 air-defense missiles, and Saab GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft delivery announced in 2024.

Primary sources