Sweden asks parliament to approve land, naval and air contributions to NATO deterrence in 2027

Sweden’s government has asked the Riksdag for authority to deploy Swedish armed forces in 2027 to contribute to NATO’s collective deterrence and defence. The proposal, government bill Prop. 2026/27:6, was submitted on 13 October by the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and covers land, naval and air units.

What the bill covers

According to the government, the land contribution would go to NATO’s forward presence in Finland, where Sweden is the framework nation, and in Latvia. Naval units would contribute to NATO’s maritime forces. Air force units and ground-based air defence would support NATO’s integrated air and missile defence.

The government states that Sweden plans to contribute the Patriot air defence system to NATO’s air policing mission in Poland in December 2026, and that, subject to Riksdag approval, it intends to continue the contribution in spring 2027. Earlier coverage: Sweden to deploy Patriot to Poland from December to protect NATO’s hub for Ukraine.

The bill also asks for room to use land, special forces, naval, air and ground-based air defence units in other operations or activities that may arise during the year. The government says the contributions will follow the timing and scope in NATO’s planning. The announcement gives no troop numbers or costs.

Ministers’ statements

Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said, in the government’s Swedish text, that Russia poses the most serious threat to the security of Sweden and its allies. Defence Minister Pål Jonson said NATO has a strong and credible deterrence and defence capability. Both statements are translated here from the original Swedish.