Developing a new fighter can take up to 25 years. This means that it is starting to be time to make a decision about which way Sweden should go.
Is it best to develop a new, Swedish, combat aircraft, join an international collaboration or to buy a ready-made foreign system? These are the three options that the government wants to investigate and then make a decision by 2030 at the latest.
But both the Social Democrats and the Sweden Democrats are dissatisfied with this plan. And both parties believe it is urgent.
Prioritize Sweden
Peter Hultqvist, the Social Democrats’ defense policy spokesperson, agrees that the issue needs to be investigated, but that a Swedish alternative must be prioritized.
– If we wind down production in Sweden, then we wind up Swedish research efforts and Swedish expertise, he says.
The Tidö parties’ cooperation does not apply to defense issues and the Sweden Democrats do not want to spend years investigating different options.
– For my part, it is very clear that the Swedish alternative is the best. Partly purely operationally, but also for Swedish society, says Lars Wistedt, defense policy spokesperson for the Sweden Democrats.
Make your own proposal
The Social Democrats plan to present their own proposal before the defense decision in December regarding the next generation of fighter aircraft. Together with the Sweden Democrats, they would gather a majority in the Riksdag.
– We will present our proposals and then other parties will have to take a position on it, says Peter Hultqvist (S).
What will that proposal look like?
– We will have to come back to that.
Large financial commitments
Defense Minister Pål Jonson (M) still says he has good hope of finding a joint solution across party lines to the new defense decision. In the investigation he wants to appoint, all parties in the Riksdag must be able to participate.
– These are long-term decisions, but they are also very large financial commitments. Then it is important that you have a good decision-making basis and that you have an investigation into the matter, he says.