HELSINKI - The Swedish government has announced a new Total Defense Bill for the 2025-2030 period, aimed at significantly strengthening both military and civil defense capabilities.

The bill allocates a record SEK 170 billion ($17 billion) for military defense and SEK 35.7 billion for civil defense, marking one of the largest defense spending increases in the nation's history.

As a result, Sweden's defense expenditure is projected to reach 2.6 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) by 2028.

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Defense Minister Pal Jonson said the bill would help build better endurance, and that it needed to happen quickly for NATO's newest member.

"This is a powerful Defense Resolution that will give total defense more strength and better balance," said Jonson.

Key plans include establishing four new military brigades by 2030 and increasing the number of conscripts to 10,000 by 2030, with a further rise to 12,000 by 2035. 

The Navy will have its five Visby class corvettes upgraded and fitted with air defense systems, and will also start the procurement of three bigger Lulea Class corvettes.

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The Air Force will get three more Globaleye surveillance planes and newer version of the JAS Gripen fighter jets, as well as Black Hawk helicopters.

The Army will add more tanks and armored vehicles, more drones and additional Archer air-defense systems, the government said.