At a meeting of NATO Defence Ministers in Brussels yesterday, June 5th, the member countries’ defence ministers agreed on new capability targets for the Alliance. Swedish Minister for Defence Pål Jonson also signed several agreements on behalf of Sweden.
The new capability targets define which military capabilities member countries need to implement NATO’s operational plans and contribute to the collective defence of the Alliance. These targets are adopted every four years, with short-term objectives covering the next six years and medium-term targets spanning seven to 19 years. The agreement marks a significant step forward in ensuring the Alliance is well-equipped to address modern security challenges.
To meet these new capability targets, Allies must increase their defence spending. During the meeting, Allies discussed the proposal for new defence spending targets as part of preparations ahead of the NATO Summit in The Hague on June 24th and 25th.
Mr Jonson also held bilateral meetings with Ukraine’s Minister of Defence Rustum Umerov and NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT), Admiral Pierre Vandier. These discussions underscored Sweden’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s security and defence efforts.
In a joint statement, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, and Sweden pledged to deepen cooperation on increasing security in the Baltic Sea region. The countries committed to enhancing cooperation between the European Union (EU) and NATO on issues related to security in the region. This agreement reflects the Alliance’s continued focus on promoting stability and security in the North-Eastern part of Europe.
Furthermore, Mr Jonson signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Norway regarding the procurement of hundreds of Combat Vehicle 90s. By linking up with several countries, Sweden can reduce costs, speed up deliveries, and strengthen its defence industry’s production capacity.
Sweden also joined another coalition, the Electromagnetic Warfare Capability Coalition. Within this framework, cooperation will focus on the procurement of electromagnetic warfare equipment, education and training, and policy development. This participation provides Sweden with opportunities to provide expertise in the field of electromagnetic warfare and gain insights into the modern electromagnetic environment.
Additionally, Mr Jonson signed an agreement with Ukraine regarding cooperation on space capabilities such as satellite communications.
The adoption of new capability targets and the agreements made during the meeting demonstrate NATO’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its collective defence. By committing to increased defence spending, deepening cooperation in the Baltic region, and pursuing procurement agreements, member countries are taking concrete steps towards ensuring the Alliance remains a robust and effective defender of peace and security.
Key Developments:
- NATO Defence Ministers agree on new capability targets for the Alliance.
- Sweden signs agreements on cooperation with Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, and Ukraine.
- Member countries pledge to deepen cooperation on increasing security in the Baltic Sea region.