Sweden ramping up arms production capacity amid Russian war on Ukraine

The war the Russian Federation is waging against Ukraine caused a serious increase in orders for various types of weapons, which reflects on Sweden’s defense industry.

That’s according to ERR, Ukrinform reports.

Representatives from the Swedish defense industry say they feel the impact of the war on the expansion of orders, while politicians should make efforts to support Ukraine and increase the defense capabilities of European countries.

Saab last year hired more than 1,000 staffers, being set to do the same this year. However, the supply of weapons is a long process that involves many political decisions. And in this regard, the pace across Europe must increase as purchases must be made quicker, according to Saab Communications Director Viktor Wallström said.

Over the decades, Europe’s got used to the logic of peacetime, when there was no time, admits Robert Limmergaard, Secretary General of the Swedish Defense Industry Association. He adds that the industry and governments seem to have not been prepared for the new realities where time is critical.

Meanwhile, Swedish companies may reportedly become part of the EU effort for the joint procurement of artillery rounds.

The Swedish defense industry sees joint procurement as a good initiative, but in the future, individual agreements between countries may prove to be a more useful tool, the report reads.

Neither the European Commission nor the European Defense Agency is used to purchasing such products, but the member states are, the argument goes.

As reported by Ukrinform, on February 8, the Swedish parliament approved the government-proposed amendments to the state budget, which provide for the allocation of military aid to Ukraine worth $406 million, which is Sweden’s largest package to date.