Sweden wants long-range weapon systems able to strike inside Russia

PHOTO CAPTION: Illustrative photo — U.S. Marines fire a rocket from an M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) during training in Andoya, Norway on May 10, 2023. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mary Linniman via U.S. Defense Visual Information Distribution Service - DVIDS)

By Johan Ahlander

STOCKHOLM  -  Sweden's military wants long-range cruise missiles able to strike targets deep inside other countries, a deterrent which the defence minister said on Tuesday was needed to match Russia's own long-range capabilities.

In a report submitted to the government this week, the Swedish Armed Forces said it wants weapon systems with a range of up to 2,000 km (1,243 miles) to be able to strike military installations and critical infrastructure deep behind enemy lines. 

"The experience from the war in Ukraine indicates that Russia is vigorously developing its long-range capabilities, both with cruise missiles, ballistic missiles and long-range drones," Defence Minister Pal Jonson told Reuters. "We must build a stronger deterrent against that threat." 

The distance between Moscow and Stockholm is around 1,000 km.     

Sweden's air force has ordered the Swedish-German Taurus cruise missiles, with a reach of around 500 km, for its Gripen fighter jets, but Jonson said other systems could also be considered.

The report also said that Russia is expected to increase its military capacity in the coming five years and that Sweden needs to increase its air defence and intelligence capabilities, including drones and spy satellites. 

 (Reporting by Johan AhlanderEditing by Ros Russell // REUTERS)