Sweden would contribute NATO troops on land, at sea and in the air next year, the Swedish government announced.
At a press conference on Monday, 7 October, the country presented its “Swedish contribution to NATO deterrence and defence in 2025” bill. Stockholm planned to deploy a battalion to Latvia, warships and aircraft in early 2025, Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said.
This is a historic decision. For the first time as an ally, we will contribute an armed force to NATO’s collective defence.
Sweden and Finland applied to join NATO after the outbreak of war in Ukraine in 2022. Sweden was the last country to join the Alliance in March 2024, ending 200 years of military non-alignment.
Sweden’s entry into NATO is one of the biggest geopolitical changes since the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Sweden would contribute about 600 troops in the form of a reduced battalion to NATO’s forward presence in Latvia, Defence Minister Pål Jonson revealed. Canada is leading the NATO troops stationed in Latvia as the framework nation.
Jonson also noted that the warships were designed to operate in the North Atlantic, emphasising the North and Baltic Seas. In the event of an armed attack, both the battalion in Latvia and the warships will be able to stay and fulfil the tasks required by NATO’s operational planning.
Swedish fighter jets will also assist NATO in aerial surveillance, according to Swedish Minister for Infrastructure and Housing Andreas Carlson.
The Swedish contribution is planned for 2025 to consist of eight fighter aircraft and associated personnel.
The Swedish government is seeking parliamentary approval for its mandate for a military contribution to NATO. The mandate includes the ability to rapidly reinforce troops abroad without waiting for parliamentary approval, according to Jonson.
The ceiling we have set is a total of 1,200 soldiers, six warships, and up to 24 Gripen aircraft.
