For the first time since the 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 invest £45 million (575 million kronor) – as part of the 2026 budget – to set up the grain reserves to ‘build strength in the new total defence.’
Civil defence minister Carl-Oskar said: ‘We are well aware that the risk of Sweden becoming completely cut off is very low, but the risk of complex supply chains being disrupted with major and unpredictable consequences in the event of war and conflict is unfortunately more likely.’
Bohlin said in a statement that the first emergency grain stocks will be in the north of Sweden, a region that risks being isolated in a conflict.
He stressed this was not a ‘random’ choice, adding: ‘Northern Sweden’s important military-strategic location combined with a low degree of self-sufficiency in grain makes it urgent to establish physical storage here as soon as possible.
‘The government has therefore brought forward the planning and rollout of this buildup precisely because there is no time to lose.
‘Today, we are thus adding another day to the record books as we have taken concrete measures and steps to seriously strengthen the resilience of Swedish society.’
A tender will be launched today in the northern counties of Norrbotten, Vasterbotten, Vasternorrland and Jamtland.
These counties are currently entirely dependent on grain transported from southern Sweden – the oblong country runs some 1,000 miles from north to south – which could be problematic in 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 idea is to mobilise all of society, from authorities to citizens and businesses, to collectively resist armed aggression while maintaining essential functions.
Elsewhere in Europe, EU defence ministers will gather in Brussels today to discuss shoring up the alliance’s ability to counter Russian air incursions.
Fears have been growing that the Kremlin is testing the West in a grey zone between war and peace.
In response, the EU has proposed creating a ‘drone wall’ – but there is some scepticism from countries like Germany over the proposal and fears that the 27-nation bloc could be treading on NATO’s toes.
The initiative is one of a number of flagship projects the EU is focusing on as part of a broad push to prepare the bloc for potential conflict with Russia.
The EU will present a road map on its plans to ministers and hopes to get sign off on it at a summit of leaders next week.
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