Sweden invests millions into mobile aerial defences to step up city protection

Sweden has pledged hundreds of millions of dollars to bolster its drone forces and expand its space capabilities—two areas expected to play a decisive role in any future NATO conflict.

As one of NATO’s newest members, Sweden is channelling significant funding into unmanned systems, establishing an integrated aerial and maritime drone force designed to safeguard its territory from potential Russian threats.

Over the weekend, Swedish Minister of Defence Pål Jonson announced that the government had earmarked SEK 15 billion (approx. €1.4 billion) to create several dispersed air defence units.

These units will be equipped with short-range air defence systems intended to protect cities and critical infrastructure from airborne threats.

“The focus is on short-range air defence that can defend both civilian and military targets against cruise missiles and drones – the new territorial air defence needs to be simple and flexible, it should be possible to produce and maintain a number of units and to retrain soldiers who have been trained on other systems,” the minister said, with his remarks following a recent wave of aerial intrusions near strategic sites across Europe.

According to the government press release, the initiative calls for multiple independent, company-sized units that are mobile and modular, allowing different weapons—such as guns and radar systems—to be combined as needed. These defences will be tasked with protecting bridges, rail junctions, nuclear and hydroelectric power facilities, and major urban areas.

In parallel, Sweden’s armed forces are expanding their unmanned aerial systems through a four-part strategy that includes loitering munitions, reconnaissance drones, airborne remote-controlled electronic warfare platforms, and maritime drones. Delivery of these systems is scheduled for the 2026–2028 timeframe, as reported by Defense News. 

Sweden’s focus on drones reflects lessons drawn from the war in Ukraine. While artillery remains the leading cause of casualties on both sides of that conflict, drones have become indispensable to modern warfare, with the importance of kamikaze drones in particular rising sharply over the past four years.

The defence spending package also places a strong emphasis on space. The Swedish government is allocating SEK 1.3 billion (nearly €120 million) toward space situational awareness capabilities.

“Enhanced space capabilities offer Sweden improved intelligence gathering, enhanced freedom of action and greater strategic autonomy. By building up national satellite capabilities, we are strengthening the protection of our combat forces and increasing Sweden’s value as a relevant and reliable ally,” the defence minister added.

Improved space awareness can significantly enhance air defence by accelerating the detection and tracking of incoming threats—an increasingly important capability as Russia has relied heavily on long-range strike systems, including ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and suicide drones.

Sweden’s defence overhaul follows its historic decision to end centuries of neutrality. Having avoided direct involvement in Europe’s major conflicts during both World Wars, Sweden—alongside neighbouring Finland—applied to join NATO just three months after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, driven by growing concerns over Russian aggression.

By Nazrin Sadigova