A new proposal in Sweden suggests that the Scandinavian nation could increase the upper conscription age limit for former officers from 47 to 70. The proposal comes as Sweden is taking steps to increase defense spending amid rising tension in the region due to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
According to Reuters, investigators involved in a government-appointed review announced the conscription age limit suggestion on Monday, saying, “The Swedish Armed Forces’ need for officers justifies an extended military service duration that should apply, regardless of the state of alert, to those who were previously employed as professional officers or reserve officers.”
Reuters reported that if the proposal is approved in Sweden, former military officers up to 70 years old could be recalled to service in the Swedish Armed Forces.
According to Reuters, the war between Russia and Ukraine has forced the Scandinavian country to change its defense plans, ultimately leading to Sweden joining NATO last year. The outlet noted that Sweden has doubled its defense spending to 2.4% of the country’s gross domestic product and is planning to increase defense spending to 3.5% of the country’s gross domestic product by 2032.
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The BBC previously reported that Sweden reintroduced military conscription for men and women in 2017, which took effect in 2018. At the time, a Swedish spokesperson said, “The Russian illegal annexation of Crimea [in 2014], the conflict in Ukraine and the increased military activity in our neighbourhood are some of the reasons [for the conscription].”
According to EUNews.com, Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson revealed the results of the Swedish government’s inquiry regarding ways the country could expand the size of the Swedish Armed Forces in the event of a future conflict during a press conference on Monday. The outlet noted that Jonson previously announced a goal of increasing Sweden’s military from 88,000 personnel to 115,000 personnel.
During Monday’s press conference, Johnson said, “We are making very large investments now in military defence. Much of the focus has been on strengthened materiel supply.”
“But we will also need to continue working to strengthen the Armed Forces’ personnel supply,” Jonson added.
