"The time has now come to establish direct production of ammunition for Ukraine. The needs are great and urgent, says Social Democratic leader Magdalena Andersson at the Society and Defence conference in Sälen.
In the Defence Committee, the Social Democrats will propose that the Riksdag urge the Government to initiate such cooperation with the defence industry. According to former Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist (S), it is urgent.
No concrete proposals
"The parties in the Riksdag must take a concrete stand. Are they prepared to stand behind government guarantees to get production up and not just a lot of talk on this issue, says Hultqvist.
The Social Democrats have no concrete proposal on how the state guarantees should be designed.
According to Andersson, this could be financial guarantees or that the state places large long-term orders for military equipment, so that the defence industry dares to build up a larger production capacity. The guarantees, according to S, must extend to the end of the war.
The government strikes back
According to Defense Minister Pål Jonson (M), the government is de facto already doing what the Social Democrats are proposing.
"On the part of the state, together with producers of artillery ammunition, we have applied for EU funds to be able to increase the production of artillery shells in Sweden," he says.
On the question of whether there is an increased risk that Russia will see the Swedish defense industry as a legitimate military target with direct production of ammunition for Ukraine, Social Democratic leader Magdalena Andersson replies:
"We are already producing military equipment that can be used by Ukraine.