Sweden needs long-range cruise missiles to strike deep into the territory of countries it considers a threat, including Russia, as proposed by the Swedish Armed Forces on November 24.
According to the Swedish military, attack capabilities need to be developed to reach targets at a strategic depth of about 2,000km, while the distance between Moscow and Stockholm is just over 1,400km.
On November 25, Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson affirmed that the country must build stronger deterrence against Russias growing long-range capabilities.
Last month, Mr. Jonson also warned people of NATO countries in Europe to prepare for the possibility of direct conflict with Russia.
Since the conflict in Ukraine broke out in 2022, Sweden has abandoned its neutrality policy and joined NATO. The country has become one of the most steadfast supporters and has provided Kiev with a series of military equipment, including artillery systems, anti-tank weapons, air defense components, ammunition and training for Ukrainian forces.
In June 2025, Sweden even agreed to increase defense spending to match NATO's new target of 5% GDP, compared to the usual level of 2.7%, in the context of the West's continuous concerns about the risk of being attacked by Russia.
In early November, many international sources said that defense officials of the Nordic and Baltic countries, including Sweden, held a simulated exercise in Norway, asserting an armed conflict or military action against Russia on the northern flank.
For its part, Russia has repeatedly denied accusations of being hostile to Western countries and expressed concern about the growing military activity near the border, condemning what it described as the reckless mediocrity of the West.
