DefenceTalkSweden’s main political parties clashed over how much to spend on the military Thursday morning after the Swedish Defense Commission presented its budgetary proposals for the next few years. Cecilia Widegren, a Moderate party MP and chairwoman of the defense committee, said spending should be increased to the tune of SEK 5.5 billion annually. But […]https://www.defencetalk.com/swedish-parties-at-odds-on-defense-spending-increase-59609/

DefenceTalkThe Czech government approved today the financing of supersonic aircraft and it will provide 21.4 billion crowns, including withholding tax and VAT, for them in 2015-27, Legislation Minister Jiri Dienstbier has told journalists. The government decided to extend the lease of Gripen fighters by Sweden until 2027 in March. “Particularly the system of multipurpose supersonic […]https://www.defencetalk.com/czech-govt-approves-money-for-gripen-fighters-lease-until-2027-59518/

DefenceTalkSwedish Radio today reveals new information on the multi-billion dollar purchase of Gripen fighter aircraft by Switzerland. Top secret documents show the Swedish Embassy in Bern has been more deeply involved in the Swiss internal political process than previously known. In less than three weeks Switzerland will hold a referendum on whether to buy 22 […]https://www.defencetalk.com/sweden-covertly-lobbied-swiss-politicians-for-gripen-sale-59433/

DefenceTalkThe Swedish government defended plans Thursday to equip fighter jets with cruise missiles capable of striking targets in Russia, days after announcing a military spending hike linked to the Ukraine conflict. “In the future the ability to combat longer range targets can be important,” Defence Minister Karin Enstroem told public broadcaster Sveriges Radio, adding that […]https://www.defencetalk.com/sweden-to-arm-fighter-jets-with-cruise-missile-deterrent-59389/

DefenceTalkSweden announced Tuesday that it will increase its annual defence spending over the next 10 years, citing the crisis in Ukraine and an “unsettling” development in Russia. The right-wing government said that spending would rise gradually until 2024, when the annual defence budget increase would be around 5.5 billion kronor (604 million euros, $835 million), […]https://www.defencetalk.com/sweden-to-boost-military-spending-over-ukraine-crisis-59377/

DefenceTalkThe Defence Minister of Sweden, Karin Enström, Sweden, and the Defence Minister of Brazil, Celso Amorim, held an official meeting in Stockholm, upon the kind invitation of the Swedish side, on April 3rd, 2014. The Ministers recalled the 2009 Plan of Action of the Sweden-Brazil Strategic Partnership, which early identified the potential of bilateral cooperation […]https://www.defencetalk.com/joint-statement-by-the-defence-ministers-of-sweden-and-brazil-59232/

DefenceTalkTwo U.S. fighter jets under NATO command were scrambled from the Siauliai air base in Lithuania Tuesday (1 April 2014) to exercise with two Swedish Gripen fighter aircraft over the Baltic Sea, in a training event designed to improve coordination and emergency procedures. The Baltic Regional Training event is conducted several times a year. The […]https://www.defencetalk.com/nato-and-swedish-fighter-jets-train-together-over-the-baltic-sea-59210/

DefenceTalkPARIS: India remains the biggest buyer of arms in the world, importing nearly three times as many weapons as its nearest competitors China and Pakistan over the last five years, a Swedish think tank said on Monday. The total volume of arms sales was up 14 per cent in 2009-13 compared to the previous five […]https://www.defencetalk.com/indian-arms-imports-almost-triple-china-pakistan-study-59044/

DefenceTalkThe Czech government on Wednesday renewed its lease on 14 Swedish fighter jets until 2027, its defence minister said. The Czech army has been using the Gripen one- and two-seaters since 2005 under a 10-year contract worth around 20 billion koruna (730 million euros, $1 billion). “From now on Prague will pay an annual 1.7 […]https://www.defencetalk.com/prague-extends-lease-of-swedish-gripen-fighters-till-2027-59012/

DefenceTalkSwitzerland’s Christian Democrat Party, CVP, no longer wants to spearhead the Yes-campaign ahead of a referendum which could determine whether or not Switzerland will purchase 22 JAS Gripen fighter jets from Saab. The decision follows hot on the heels of Swedish Radio News’ exposure of Sweden’s plans to launch a PR-drive in Switzerland with the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/swedish-jas-gripen-lobbying-leads-to-political-fallout-in-switzerland-58796/