Swedish Defense Chief on Russian Threat: 'Appropriately Concerned'

How concerned should Swedes be about Russia? 'Appropriately concerned,' says Supreme Commander Michael Claesson in an interview with Dagens Nyheter.

The Supreme Commander is prepared for a Russian invasion, as he reveals in the interview.

– I must be ready to go to war with what I have now. If there's anything Russia knows, it's that the entire Western world is rearming. Their entire strategy is to exploit the opponent's weaknesses.

But this also applies to Russia, which, according to the Supreme Commander, 'has the capacity' to attack Sweden at any time.

Major Challenges

At the same time, the Swedish defense faces significant challenges, says the Supreme Commander. This includes both equipment and personnel supply.

– I cannot solve all tasks with newly graduated sergeants and lieutenants. These are structural imbalances inherited from the somewhat turbulent history from the mid-90s to the late 00s.

And there is reason for some concern. The question is how much.

– I usually use the expression appropriately concerned. That is, not to panic in any way, says Michael Claesson.

All Swedish parties have announced plans to invest large sums in strengthening the Swedish defense, including borrowing 300 billion.