Sweden to increase military spending by 40% as tension with Russia grows

Military run down after cold war but Russian activity in Baltic Sea forces hasty rearmament

Sweden will increase military spending by about 40% in the next five years and double the number of people conscripted into its armed forces as it aims to strengthen its defence amid growing tensions with Russia, the government has said.

The country, which is not a member of Nato but enjoys close ties with the alliance, ran down its military forces after the cold war to save money.