New Patriot Missiles to Enhance Sweden’s Air Defense

New Patriot Missiles to Enhance Sweden’s Air Defense

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Looking to boost its defenses amid growing tensions with Russia, Sweden will buy from Raytheon the Patriot air defense missile systems. The deal will include four firing systems and two types of missiles as well as other equipment and training, the government said, with delivery completed before 2025.

Non-NATO member Sweden has expressed concerns over a worsened security situation in the Baltic Sea region over the past few years. Russia has increased military operations there since it annexed the Crimea peninsula from Ukraine in 2014. Sweden’s air-defense system cannot shoot down ballistic missiles.

Sweden’s Defense Materiel Administration (FMV), which handles military logistics, began negotiations over the Patriot systems in November last year aiming to replace the current air defense system. Negotiations were concluded in April and the government was expected to go ahead with the purchase.

“The government has decided to authorize the FMV … to sign a contract with the United States to buy the American air defense system Patriot,” the Defense Ministry said in a statement, according to international new agencies.

In April, the FMV said the initial deal would be worth around 10 billion Swedish crowns ($1.13 billion). But that could triple if Sweden uses an option to increase the number of missiles it purchases to a maximum of 300.

According to businessinsider.com., the government did not say how many missiles would be included initially or give its long-term plans. There have been disagreements about whether to fund the deal separately, or include it in the current military budget, which could lead to defense cuts elsewhere.