In its latest national security strategy, the Swedish government has identified Russia as the biggest threat to Sweden and its allies until 2030. The document warns that an armed attack on Sweden or its allies cannot be ruled out, reflecting the heightened tensions in the region.
The Defense Minister, Pal Johnson, emphasized that the threat from Russia would depend on the ongoing war in Ukraine and expressed readiness to take significant political and military risks if necessary. This comes after a recent incident where a Russian military aircraft violated Swedish airspace near Gotland, a strategically important island in the Baltic Sea.
Sweden has been increasing its military capabilities since Russia’s annexation of Crimea and invasion of Ukraine. The country decided to join NATO in 2024 after two centuries of neutrality, in response to the growing security concerns in the region.
The new strategy also highlights the importance of protecting Sweden’s strategic assets, particularly in the north where significant deposits of rare earth metals have been discovered. These metals are crucial for modern technologies, including green technologies like wind turbines and electric vehicles.
Currently, the EU heavily relies on imports from China for these essential materials, but the discovery of rare earth metals in Sweden could potentially reduce this dependency and enhance the region’s security and independence.