BRUSSELS — NATO defence ministers on Thursday agreed to a new set of capability targets that will shape the Alliance’s collective military preparedness through the next two decades, as the bloc intensifies focus on regional security and long-term deterrence.
At the meeting in Brussels, ministers adopted updated short- and medium-term objectives aimed at strengthening NATO’s operational readiness amid rising geopolitical tensions. The capability targets, revised every four years, define the specific military requirements member nations must meet to support NATO’s evolving mission profile.
“To implement NATO’s operational plans and uphold our collective defence, these capability targets are vital,” said Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson, who also signed several agreements on behalf of Sweden during the gathering.
The newly adopted targets span two timelines: short-term (0–6 years) and medium-term (7–19 years). To meet them, ministers acknowledged that member countries must increase defence spending — a topic that featured prominently in preparatory discussions ahead of the NATO Summit in The Hague later this month.
Regional Baltic Security Pact Signed
On the sidelines of the meeting, Jonson joined defence chiefs from Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany and Sweden in signing a joint declaration to deepen military cooperation around the Baltic Sea.
The countries pledged to strengthen security and expand coordination in the strategically sensitive region, while also pushing for enhanced NATO–EU cooperation.
“We must act together to safeguard the Baltic region and ensure rapid response capabilities against any threat,” Jonson said.
Joint Combat Vehicle Procurement Agreement
In a move to consolidate military spending and boost defence production, Sweden signed a Letter of Intent to jointly procure several hundred Combat Vehicle 90s alongside Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, the Netherlands and Norway.
“By linking up with several countries, we can reduce costs, speed up deliveries and strengthen the defence industry’s production capacity,” said Jonson.
Expanded Support for Ukraine
A day before the NATO meeting, Jonson participated in the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG), where he signed an agreement for Sweden to join the Electromagnetic Warfare Capability Coalition — a multinational group supporting Ukraine with advanced warfare tools.
The partnership will involve Sweden in procurement, training and policy development related to electromagnetic warfare, allowing Stockholm to contribute expertise while gaining strategic insights into the modern battlefield.
“Sweden is proud to stand with Ukraine and enhance its defensive capabilities through cutting-edge technologies,” Jonson stated.
Space Cooperation with Kyiv
Further solidifying bilateral ties, Sweden and Ukraine signed another Letter of Intent to cooperate on space capabilities, including satellite communications and strategic space infrastructure.
The agreements mark an increasingly active role for Sweden in NATO operations following its accession, particularly in regional security and high-tech military alliances.
The next major milestone for the Alliance will come at the NATO Summit in The Hague on June 24–25, where defence spending commitments and regional threat assessments are expected to dominate the agenda.
