European nations must enhance military cooperation within NATO, according to Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson in an interview with Financial Times. He emphasized that to strengthen the European element of NATO, defense spending must increase significantly beyond the current 2% of GDP benchmark. While Sweden values its relationship with the United States, Jonson advocates for bolstering NATO’s European component, noting Sweden’s strong defense industrial ties with the U.S. He dismissed claims of excessive dependency on Washington, particularly regarding the bilateral military agreement and Sweden’s NATO membership. Jonson pointed out the likelihood of U.S. military presence in Europe diminishing due to rising concerns in the Indo-Pacific, especially from China. He underscored the necessity for European countries to invest more in satellite and space technologies to enhance military capabilities, citing Sweden’s progress with its Kiruna missile base and the successful launch of its first military satellite in collaboration with the U.S. This strategic move underscores the urgency for European nations to independently bolster their defense infrastructures while reinforcing NATO’s collective security posture.
