Sweden to boost anti-drone, air combat capabilities

Sweden will invest over SEK 3.5 billion in anti-drone systems between 2026 and 2028, Defence Minister Pål Jonson announced.

Jonson said on X that the funding would be used to acquire drone-interception weapons, hunter drones for air bases, and jamming sensors for personnel and vehicles, with the aim of substantially enhancing national defence capabilities, Caliber.Az reports.

Regeringen har tagit beslut om att stärka & snabba på uppbyggnaden av Försvarsmaktens drönarskydd. Vi ska investera över 5 miljarder i fler antidrönarsystem & i en ökad tillgänglighet av Gripensystemet. Leveranstider förkortas med 8 år från slutleveranser 2036 till 2028. (1/4) pic.twitter.com/i28UDvLEon

— Pål Jonson (@PlJonson) October 10, 2025

An additional SEK 1.5 billion will be spent on air combat capabilities, including spare parts, mission equipment, and materials to support operations from both air and road bases, improving the availability and endurance of the Gripen fleet in peacetime, crisis, and war.

Jonson stressed that recent airspace violations and drone sightings underscore the growing threat from the air in modern warfare.

“We must be able to defend ourselves against this,” he said, noting the investment comes from the SEK 25 billion contingency fund.

By Aghakazim Guliyev