For the primary time for the reason that Cold War, Sweden will begin to stockpile food again.
After ending its long-standing policy of military non-alignment and joining Nato in 2024, the Scandinavian country will start filling up its silos in case of a war with Russia.
Its government announced plans to take a position £45 million (575 million kronor) – as a part of the 2026 budget – to establish the grain reserves to ‘construct strength in the brand new total defence.’
Civil defence minister Carl-Oskar said: ‘We’re well aware that the chance of Sweden becoming completely cut off could be very low, but the chance of complex supply chains being disrupted with major and unpredictable consequences within the event of war and conflict is unfortunately more likely.’
Bohlin said in an announcement that the primary emergency grain stocks will likely be within the north of Sweden, a region that risks being isolated in a conflict.
He stressed this was not a ‘random’ selection, adding: ‘Northern Sweden’s vital military-strategic location combined with a low degree of self-sufficiency in grain makes it urgent to determine physical storage here as soon as possible.
‘The federal government has subsequently brought forward the planning and rollout of this buildup precisely because there isn’t any time to lose.
‘Today, we’re thus adding one other day to the record books as we’ve taken concrete measures and steps to significantly strengthen the resilience of Swedish society.’
A young will likely be launched today within the northern counties of Norrbotten, Vasterbotten, Vasternorrland and Jamtland.
These counties are currently entirely depending on grain transported from southern Sweden – the oblong country runs some 1,000 miles from north to south – which might be problematic within the event of a crisis or war.
Sweden revived its ‘total defence’ strategy in 2015 following Russia’s annexation of Crimea, and more measures were introduced after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The thought is to mobilise all of society, from authorities to residents and businesses, to collectively resist armed aggression while maintaining essential functions.
Elsewhere in Europe, EU defence ministers will gather in Brussels today to debate shoring up the alliance’s ability to counter Russian air incursions.
Fears have been growing that the Kremlin is testing the West in a gray zone between war and peace.
In response, the EU has proposed making a ‘drone wall’ – but there’s some scepticism from countries like Germany over the proposal and fears that the 27-nation bloc might be treading on NATO’s toes.
The initiative is one in all various flagship projects the EU is specializing in as a part of a broad push to organize the bloc for potential conflict with Russia.
The EU will present a road map on its plans to ministers and hopes to get log off on it at a summit of leaders next week.
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