Therefore, Sweden is already a heavy player in NATO

 

NATO
Therefore, Sweden is already a heavy NATO player

Niclas Vent

Updated 14.10 | Published 13.35

WASHINGTON. For the first time, Sweden is participating in a NATO summit as a member.

But Ulf Kristersson doesn't have to stand in a corner and scrape his foot.

Here are six reasons why Sweden is already a heavy alliance member.

We are used to thinking of Sweden as a small country.

But in the context of NATO, that self-image is not correct.

• Only 12 member states have more inhabitants.
• Only 9, somewhat depending on how you count, have stronger defenses.
  
• Only 4 cover a larger area.
• Only 13 have higher defense spending as a share of GDP. Already in the first year as a member, Sweden reaches the goal of at least 2 percent of GDP in defense spending, which 9 NATO countries still do not do, even some that have been part of it foryears.
  
• At the meeting, the NATO countries are expected to agree that the military support to Ukraine should amount to at least 40 billion euros annually. Sweden's already announced support of SEK 75 billion over three years is more than enough to shoulder our share of the burden, if it is spread across all members based on GDP.
• At the same time, a reduced Swedish battalion is being prepared to be part of the "Nato Forward Land Forces" (FLF) in Latvia from the turn of the year, and Swedish Gripen planes will soon be part of airspace surveillance in the Baltics.

Sweden has clearly made an effort to live up to NATO's requirements.

That should affect what influence Ulf Kristersson gets in the meeting rooms in Washington.

- It remains to be seen, the meeting hasn't really started yet, but I feel both myself and Sweden are very, very welcome. Great curiosity, great respect, Ulf Kristersson told Aftonbladet before the meeting.

Aftonbladet met Ulf Kristersson ahead of the NATO summit in Washington today. Photo: Nora Savosnick

What Sweden contributes to the alliance is both geography and capacity, according to the prime minister.

- We are making sure that the entire Northern NATO is now complete. With Sweden and Finland, we cover the entire Baltic Sea, looking out towards the Atlantic via Norway, so it is a very strong thing geographically. Long-awaited among other NATO countries, that our part of the world becomes a contiguous NATO country.

- The second is that we bring in completely unique capabilities, with a strong air force, unique submarine capacity, well-trained, internationally experienced units, signals intelligence, radar surveillance. We are aware of the situation in our part of the world. It is very much appreciated.

The Prime Minister describes his attitude as both "humble" and "confident".

- Many allies look towards our countries [Sweden and Finland], because we have a long history of following Russia and of being aware of the threat Russia poses. The combination of humility and self-confidence is often good. Humility in the sense that others have been members for 75 years, and one should listen and learn. But also feeling confident about what we bring to the table.

Defense Minister Pål Jonson also describes the reception of Sweden in NATO as enthusiastic.

- Ultimately, it is about the fact that we have a lot we can contribute to NATO, including through the unique ability we have under, on and over the Baltic Sea. We have Arctic capability, a strong defense industry, we have high Russia expertise, we have signaled early on that we will contribute to NATO's advanced presence in Latvia and we will soon contribute to NATO Air policing. We have important resources and capabilities that can make NATO stronger, says Pål Jonson.

 

Photo: Nora Savosnick