Jonas Olsson
@jonasolsson.bsky.social
Scandinavia Correspondent BreakingDefense.com • Contributor WarshipsIFR.com & Kvartal.se • 30+ yrs ex-SVT journalist covering Nordic defence & NATO shifts
Contact ➡️ linktr.ee/jonasolsson
Contact ➡️ linktr.ee/jonasolsson
STOCKHOLM — The foreign ministers of the Nordic nations as well as Canada today expressed strong, unified support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity amid Russia’s ongoing missile attacks on Ukraine, as well as a willingness to play a part in any future security guarantees for Kyiv.
August 19, 2025 at 7:54 PM
STOCKHOLM — The foreign ministers of the Nordic nations as well as Canada today expressed strong, unified support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity amid Russia’s ongoing missile attacks on Ukraine, as well as a willingness to play a part in any future security guarantees for Kyiv.
STOCKHOLM — The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) told Breaking Defense that a formal signing ceremony is expected to take place later this month to mark Thailand’s acquisition of additional Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets.
➡️ breakingdefense.com/2025/08/swed...
➡️ breakingdefense.com/2025/08/swed...
August 6, 2025 at 4:36 PM
STOCKHOLM — The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) told Breaking Defense that a formal signing ceremony is expected to take place later this month to mark Thailand’s acquisition of additional Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets.
➡️ breakingdefense.com/2025/08/swed...
➡️ breakingdefense.com/2025/08/swed...
STOCKHOLM – The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has confirmed that Saab Gripen fighter aircraft were used against Cambodia over the weekend, marking the first-known weapons launch in combat from the Swedish jet.
➡️ breakingdefense.com/2025/07/afte...
➡️ breakingdefense.com/2025/07/afte...
July 29, 2025 at 7:09 PM
STOCKHOLM – The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has confirmed that Saab Gripen fighter aircraft were used against Cambodia over the weekend, marking the first-known weapons launch in combat from the Swedish jet.
➡️ breakingdefense.com/2025/07/afte...
➡️ breakingdefense.com/2025/07/afte...
STOCKHOLM — Sweden has signed contracts worth over 5 billion Swedish kronor ($523 million) for artillery ammunition, marking its largest investment in such munitions since the 1980s.
➡️ breakingdefense.com/2025/07/swed...
➡️ breakingdefense.com/2025/07/swed...
July 8, 2025 at 3:30 PM
STOCKHOLM — Sweden has signed contracts worth over 5 billion Swedish kronor ($523 million) for artillery ammunition, marking its largest investment in such munitions since the 1980s.
➡️ breakingdefense.com/2025/07/swed...
➡️ breakingdefense.com/2025/07/swed...
STOCKHOLM — Sweden has launched a major procurement to bolster air defense capabilities in the Baltic Sea region. The initiative includes medium- and short-range missile systems, radars, command infrastructure and vehicle platforms.
➡️ breakingdefense.com/2025/06/swed...
➡️ breakingdefense.com/2025/06/swed...
June 24, 2025 at 5:11 PM
STOCKHOLM — Sweden has launched a major procurement to bolster air defense capabilities in the Baltic Sea region. The initiative includes medium- and short-range missile systems, radars, command infrastructure and vehicle platforms.
➡️ breakingdefense.com/2025/06/swed...
➡️ breakingdefense.com/2025/06/swed...
Explore the world’s nuclear forces in 2025! ~2,100 warheads are on high alert.
SVT’s interactive story, now in its 7th year, tracks warheads, their carriers, & modernization in 9 nuclear-armed states:
🇷🇺🇺🇸🇨🇳🇫🇷🇬🇧🇵🇰🇮🇳🇮🇱🇰🇵
➡️ www.svt.se/datajournali...
SVT’s interactive story, now in its 7th year, tracks warheads, their carriers, & modernization in 9 nuclear-armed states:
🇷🇺🇺🇸🇨🇳🇫🇷🇬🇧🇵🇰🇮🇳🇮🇱🇰🇵
➡️ www.svt.se/datajournali...
June 21, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Explore the world’s nuclear forces in 2025! ~2,100 warheads are on high alert.
SVT’s interactive story, now in its 7th year, tracks warheads, their carriers, & modernization in 9 nuclear-armed states:
🇷🇺🇺🇸🇨🇳🇫🇷🇬🇧🇵🇰🇮🇳🇮🇱🇰🇵
➡️ www.svt.se/datajournali...
SVT’s interactive story, now in its 7th year, tracks warheads, their carriers, & modernization in 9 nuclear-armed states:
🇷🇺🇺🇸🇨🇳🇫🇷🇬🇧🇵🇰🇮🇳🇮🇱🇰🇵
➡️ www.svt.se/datajournali...
Just days before NATO is set to gather for its high-profile summit at The Hague, Sweden today revealed it would delay its goal of hitting 3.5% GDP defense spending until up to 2032 — the timeline officials said is likely to be agreed upon by NATO allies next week. breakingdefense.com/2025/06/swed...
June 19, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Just days before NATO is set to gather for its high-profile summit at The Hague, Sweden today revealed it would delay its goal of hitting 3.5% GDP defense spending until up to 2032 — the timeline officials said is likely to be agreed upon by NATO allies next week. breakingdefense.com/2025/06/swed...
STOCKHOLM — Sweden and Finland’s accession to NATO will enhance the alliance’s missile defense posture through geographical and operational depth, allowing for the deployment of more air defense systems.
breakingdefense.com/2025/06/scan...
breakingdefense.com/2025/06/scan...
June 18, 2025 at 8:29 AM
STOCKHOLM — Sweden and Finland’s accession to NATO will enhance the alliance’s missile defense posture through geographical and operational depth, allowing for the deployment of more air defense systems.
breakingdefense.com/2025/06/scan...
breakingdefense.com/2025/06/scan...
STOCKHOLM — China has boosted its nuclear arsenal by 100 warheads in just one year, growing from an estimated 500 to over 600 warheads in 2025, according to new data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
breakingdefense.com/2025/06/chin...
breakingdefense.com/2025/06/chin...
June 15, 2025 at 10:06 PM
STOCKHOLM — China has boosted its nuclear arsenal by 100 warheads in just one year, growing from an estimated 500 to over 600 warheads in 2025, according to new data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
breakingdefense.com/2025/06/chin...
breakingdefense.com/2025/06/chin...
Visited Uppsala University for the fascinating #AlvaMyrdal2025 conference this week. Paintings of Swedish war kings gave perspective.
Stories on #nukes, #missiles, & #scandinaviadefense coming soon.
Stay tuned ⚡️⚡️⚡️
Stories on #nukes, #missiles, & #scandinaviadefense coming soon.
Stay tuned ⚡️⚡️⚡️
June 15, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Visited Uppsala University for the fascinating #AlvaMyrdal2025 conference this week. Paintings of Swedish war kings gave perspective.
Stories on #nukes, #missiles, & #scandinaviadefense coming soon.
Stay tuned ⚡️⚡️⚡️
Stories on #nukes, #missiles, & #scandinaviadefense coming soon.
Stay tuned ⚡️⚡️⚡️
STOCKHOLM — Berlin’s military expenditures soared to $88.5 billion in 2024, positioning it as the world’s fourth-largest military spender and the highest in Central and Western Europe for the first time since Germany’s reunification in 1990.
breakingdefense.com/2025/04/germ...
breakingdefense.com/2025/04/germ...
April 28, 2025 at 4:43 AM
STOCKHOLM — Berlin’s military expenditures soared to $88.5 billion in 2024, positioning it as the world’s fourth-largest military spender and the highest in Central and Western Europe for the first time since Germany’s reunification in 1990.
breakingdefense.com/2025/04/germ...
breakingdefense.com/2025/04/germ...
The Swedish Government has directed the Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) to collaborate with Finland on a joint plan for cross-border mass evacuations, including exercises to enhance readiness and coordination for crises or armed threats.
April 16, 2025 at 7:54 PM
The Swedish Government has directed the Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) to collaborate with Finland on a joint plan for cross-border mass evacuations, including exercises to enhance readiness and coordination for crises or armed threats.
April 3, 2025 at 3:30 PM
March 31, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Sweden is planning a jump in defense spending to 3.5 percent of its GDP, in line with what the nation’s prime minister expects will be a new NATO-wide spending target.
breakingdefense.com/2025/03/swed...
breakingdefense.com/2025/03/swed...
March 26, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Sweden is planning a jump in defense spending to 3.5 percent of its GDP, in line with what the nation’s prime minister expects will be a new NATO-wide spending target.
breakingdefense.com/2025/03/swed...
breakingdefense.com/2025/03/swed...
Exactly! Wrote about it todays @mediehusetkvartal.bsky.social
March 11, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Exactly! Wrote about it todays @mediehusetkvartal.bsky.social
Då ska du läsa min artikeln i Kvartal i dag.
March 11, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Då ska du läsa min artikeln i Kvartal i dag.
US nuclear umbrella holds strong in Stockholm. A nuclear-capable B-52 flew low over the Swedish capital at noon today, escorted by Swedish fighter jets, marking one year since Sweden officially joined NATO.
March 11, 2025 at 12:32 PM
US nuclear umbrella holds strong in Stockholm. A nuclear-capable B-52 flew low over the Swedish capital at noon today, escorted by Swedish fighter jets, marking one year since Sweden officially joined NATO.
Honored to be published in Kvartal ’s annual edition, a concentrate of the best from 2024. My article on security policy—Sweden’s key issue with the U.S.—draws from Heritage Foundation’s 900-page manifesto, now reflected in Trump 2.0. Support Kvartal: order the print via link in comments.
March 2, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Honored to be published in Kvartal ’s annual edition, a concentrate of the best from 2024. My article on security policy—Sweden’s key issue with the U.S.—draws from Heritage Foundation’s 900-page manifesto, now reflected in Trump 2.0. Support Kvartal: order the print via link in comments.
Interesting to read Lars-Erik De Geer's new book on the Soviet submarine S363 (Whiskey-on-the-Rocks), which ran aground in 1981 near Karlskrona.
According to the author, the likely plan was to place nuclear charges on the seabed. 🧵
According to the author, the likely plan was to place nuclear charges on the seabed. 🧵
December 13, 2024 at 9:30 AM
Interesting to read Lars-Erik De Geer's new book on the Soviet submarine S363 (Whiskey-on-the-Rocks), which ran aground in 1981 near Karlskrona.
According to the author, the likely plan was to place nuclear charges on the seabed. 🧵
According to the author, the likely plan was to place nuclear charges on the seabed. 🧵
4 Swedish Air Force C-130 Hercules spotted in formation over Stockholm during lunch break!
These workhorses, purchased from the US in the '60s, have seen numerous upgrades. Their days are numbered, as they're set to be replaced by Embraer C-390s. Meanwhile, Brazil is looking to secure more Gripens.
These workhorses, purchased from the US in the '60s, have seen numerous upgrades. Their days are numbered, as they're set to be replaced by Embraer C-390s. Meanwhile, Brazil is looking to secure more Gripens.
December 10, 2024 at 6:42 PM
4 Swedish Air Force C-130 Hercules spotted in formation over Stockholm during lunch break!
These workhorses, purchased from the US in the '60s, have seen numerous upgrades. Their days are numbered, as they're set to be replaced by Embraer C-390s. Meanwhile, Brazil is looking to secure more Gripens.
These workhorses, purchased from the US in the '60s, have seen numerous upgrades. Their days are numbered, as they're set to be replaced by Embraer C-390s. Meanwhile, Brazil is looking to secure more Gripens.
Interesting to cover the two-day Nordic-Baltic-Polish high-level summit at Harpsund this week. Strong political signals sent to the Kremlin from the seven leaders on NATO's Northeastern Flank about increased support to Ukraine 🇺🇦, though the extent and timeline remain unclear. #NordicBalticSummit 1/6
December 1, 2024 at 10:38 AM
Interesting to cover the two-day Nordic-Baltic-Polish high-level summit at Harpsund this week. Strong political signals sent to the Kremlin from the seven leaders on NATO's Northeastern Flank about increased support to Ukraine 🇺🇦, though the extent and timeline remain unclear. #NordicBalticSummit 1/6
November 22, 2024 at 8:10 PM
⚡️⚡️⚡️ Swedish police and prosecutor are investigating suspected sabotage due to two underwater cable breaks in the Baltic Sea, according to a press release Tuesday 15:41 CET
1/2
1/2
November 19, 2024 at 3:43 PM
⚡️⚡️⚡️ Swedish police and prosecutor are investigating suspected sabotage due to two underwater cable breaks in the Baltic Sea, according to a press release Tuesday 15:41 CET
1/2
1/2
My latest: Sweden has signed up with five other European nations to develop a long-range strike missile. The move will fill a crucial security gap.
breakingdefense.com/2024/10/swed...
breakingdefense.com/2024/10/swed...
November 3, 2024 at 8:01 AM
My latest: Sweden has signed up with five other European nations to develop a long-range strike missile. The move will fill a crucial security gap.
breakingdefense.com/2024/10/swed...
breakingdefense.com/2024/10/swed...