The Local Sweden

Former minister gets double-wage package

Thu, 22 Nov 2012 09:24:00 +0100

Moderate Party MP and former minister for defence, Sten Tolgfors, has been paid 115,000 kronor ($17,140) per month since the spring, despite not taking active part in any parliamentary activity, according to a report in daily Dagens Nyheter (DN).

Saab 'rewarded' official who drafted Saudi deal

Sat, 07 Apr 2012 12:11:00 +0200

After the resignation last week of Sweden’s defence minister over a military deal with Saudi Arabia, critics have baulked at revelations that at least four well-placed senior civil servants and a former government minster had switched to jobs with defence firm Saab.

Juholt remark sparks political squabble

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 08:35:00 +0100

Social Democrat leader Håkan Juholt once again landed himself in hot water after saying that the government had “pushed through” defence policies with the help of the Sweden Democrats.

Sweden 'tricked' in failed Norway Gripen bid

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 09:06:00 +0100

Sweden was deceived by both the United States and Norway regarding the latter’s interest in signing a multi-billion kronor deal to buy Sweden's JAS Gripen fighter plane.

Sweden to invest in new submarines

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 11:25:00 +0200

The Swedish military is set to shell out billions of kronor for two new state-of the-art submarines while also upgrading two older vessels, defence minister Sten Tolgfors has revealed, defence minister Sten Tolgfors has revealed.

Sweden looks to boost Afghanistan force

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:23:00 +0200

Sweden wants to send more troops to Afghanistan after an assessment by the Armed Forces concluded that the current force of 500 soldiers is too small.

Sweden ill-equipped to defend itself

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 08:40:00 +0100

Defence minister Sten Tolgfors wants Sweden’s Armed Forces to have more units ready for immediate mobilization to defend the country’s borders.

Sweden announces controversial new defence cuts

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 13:58:00 +0200

The Swedish government has proposed further cuts in spending on defence materiel, much to the frustration of the opposition.

Sweden to help monitor peace in Georgia

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 17:01:00 +0200

Sweden announced on Thursday it plans to send personnel and equipment to Georgia as part of an EU civilian observation mission.

Defence Minister: 'FRA doesn’t monitor individual Swedes'

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:35:00 +0200

In explaining the importance of Sweden's new surveillance law, Minister of Defence Sten Tolgfors argues that signals intelligence activities on cable-bound communications is no greater an invasion of privacy than monitoring the airwaves.

'Sweden can no longer defend itself'

Thu, 15 May 2008 15:21:00 +0200

Armed Forces Supreme Commander Håkan Syrén fears that proposed cuts to the military will diminish its capacity to defend Sweden's borders.

Debating NATO: Sweden and Finland keep their distance

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:32:00 +0200

Sweden and Finland have become more willing to debate possible NATO membership, writes Tallinn-based journalist Justin Petrone. But opposition to the alliance remains strong.

Swedish defence minister says NATO membership 'natural'

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 13:57:00 +0100

Membership in NATO is a "natural" step for Sweden in the long term, Defence Minister Sten Tolgfors wrote in a newspaper article on Saturday.