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Sweden to Invest in Drones and Reconnaissance Satellites, Citing Ukraine’s Wartime Experience
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Sweden is moving to significantly strengthen its defense capabilities by investing in long-range strike systems, unmanned platforms, and sovereign intelligence assets, citing lessons learned from Ukraine’s wartime experience, Defense Express reported on January 13.
In addition to a previously announced $1.6 billion program to establish territorial air defense aimed at protecting civilians and critical infrastructure, the Swedish government has unveiled further defense investments focused on operational autonomy and resilience.
According to Defense Express, Sweden plans to allocate 4 billion Swedish kronor (approximately $440 million) for the procurement of various drone systems. The funding will cover loitering munitions, reconnaissance drones, maritime drones, as well as counter-UAS detection tools and electronic warfare systems.
The exact platforms to be acquired have not been disclosed. The categories include a wide range of systems — from FPV drones and long-range strike assets to surface and underwater maritime drones designed for multiple missions. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2026 and be completed by 2028.
At the same time, Sweden will invest an additional 1.3 billion Swedish kronor (around $140 million) to reduce its reliance on foreign intelligence sources. These funds are earmarked for the acquisition of up to 10 reconnaissance satellites between 2026 and 2028.
Although Swedish authorities have not specified which satellites will be purchased, the announcement coincided with a statement from Finnish space company ICEYE, which confirmed it had secured a contract with Sweden’s Ministry of Defence to provide sovereign satellites equipped with synthetic aperture radar (SAR).
ICEYE’s SAR satellites can generate radar imagery with a resolution of up to 16 centimeters per pixel, regardless of weather conditions or time of day. Similar systems are currently used by Ukraine’s Defense Forces.
Defense Express notes that the development of a national reconnaissance satellite constellation is intended to provide Sweden with greater strategic independence and increase its value as a security and space partner among allies.
European countries have long relied on US intelligence capabilities, but recent political developments have underscored the risks of such dependence. Sweden’s investments are framed as a response to those vulnerabilities.
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The move also aligns with Stockholm’s longer-term goal of fielding long-range missiles with a range of up to 2,000 kilometers by 2030. According to Defense Express, Swedish officials aim to ensure full sovereign control over intelligence data to avoid potential restrictions on the operational use of such weapons.
Earlier, European Union Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius has called on the European Union to consider creating a standing European military force of up to 100,000 troops and to overhaul how defense decisions are made.
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