On September 5, 2007, Mikael Odenberg was summoned to a press conference.

The message: The M-top resigns as Minister of Defense after less than a year in the post.

The reason was a conflict with Anders Borg and Fredrik Reinfeldt, who wanted to reduce defense costs by several billion a year.

- It hit like a bomb for me too.

We had agreed on the budget appropriations for the defense for next year.

Then suddenly a completely impossible text came into the financial plan which I found completely unserious, says Mikael Odenberg and continues:

- In practice, it meant that I would not be the master of my own house but I would have some kind of overcoat from the Ministry of Finance.

The whole situation became completely impossible.

"It looks awful"

When the former M-top receives in his apartment on Östermalm, it has been a couple of weeks since Russia began the invasion of Ukraine.

- It looks awful.

It is difficult to see how it will end, he says.

Now all parties want to throw money at the Armed Forces, what do you say about that?

- It is quick to tear down, but that it takes time to build up, so this party political competition we can see about who will get this in place the fastest does not feel very serious.

It is about scaling up the Swedish defense capability as quickly as possible, he says and adds:

- But you must also do it with great respect for the care needed.

Weapon systems, personnel supply, officer training and logistics: everything must be connected, he says and continues.

The chain does not get stronger than its weakest link and sometimes I have the impression that the parties take this issue a little too lightly.

Should one have started with this earlier?

- Yes, it's quite obvious.

We have been constantly misplaced for 100 years.

"Have not had a relationship since"

We return to Mikael Odenberg's resignation as Minister of Defense.

Today, he describes it as an internal moderate deal.

How did Fredrik Reinfeldt react?

- Quite autistic, I would say.

My relationship with him before was good, I have never had any problems in my relationship with Fredrik.

We had collaborated for many years together.

How did your dropout affect your relationship?

- We have not really had a relationship since then.

But I have no feeling that Fredrik has with others either.

Fredrik Reinfeldt once called the defense a special interest ...

- Yes, and he will have to live with that for the rest of his life.

Sten Tolgfors will be named Tomhylsan and Fredrik will live with the special interest.

It has taken hold.

SVT has contacted Fredrik Reinfeldt for a comment.