Jonas Olsson
@jonasolsson.bsky.social
Scandinavia Correspondent BreakingDefense.com • Ex-30+ yrs SVT journalist covering Nordic defence & NATO-shifts |
📬 linktr.ee/jonasolsson 🔔 https://jonasolsson.substack.com
📬 linktr.ee/jonasolsson 🔔 https://jonasolsson.substack.com
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Jonas Olsson
@jonasolsson.bsky.social
· Jun 21
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...
Diving into the UK-Swedish offer (Arrowhead 120) for Sweden's new Luleå-class surface combatants that went public this week—and why it likely has a strong edge over France's Naval Group FDI and Spain's Navantia Alpha 4000 in the $4.5–6.7B deal. breakingdefense.com/2026/02/saab...
Saab, Babcock bank on Arrowhead 120 design for Sweden’s next frigate - Breaking Defense
The partnership aims to bring together “a proven, export-ready design tailored to Sweden’s needs,” Saab’s spokesperson Ulrika Langels told Breaking Defense.
breakingdefense.com
February 13, 2026 at 7:28 PM
Diving into the UK-Swedish offer (Arrowhead 120) for Sweden's new Luleå-class surface combatants that went public this week—and why it likely has a strong edge over France's Naval Group FDI and Spain's Navantia Alpha 4000 in the $4.5–6.7B deal. breakingdefense.com/2026/02/saab...
Reposted by Jonas Olsson
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February 11, 2026 at 9:02 AM
I’ve got my own stack now. Welcome 🔔 open.substack.com/pub/jonasols...
February 11, 2026 at 7:57 AM
I’ve got my own stack now. Welcome 🔔 open.substack.com/pub/jonasols...
🚀🚀🚀 Lots of buzz around potential Nordic nuclear weapons. Check my and Martin Hedströms interactive feature, marking its eight consecutive year tracking all nine nuclear-armed states’ warheads, delivery platforms, and progress over the past 20 years. Eye-opening data ✅
➡️svt.se/datajournalist…
➡️svt.se/datajournalist…
February 1, 2026 at 7:24 PM
🚀🚀🚀 Lots of buzz around potential Nordic nuclear weapons. Check my and Martin Hedströms interactive feature, marking its eight consecutive year tracking all nine nuclear-armed states’ warheads, delivery platforms, and progress over the past 20 years. Eye-opening data ✅
➡️svt.se/datajournalist…
➡️svt.se/datajournalist…
STOCKHOLM — In a significant victory for South Korean defense exports, Norway selected Hanwha Aerospace’s Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system over prominent Western competitors for its ground-based long-range precision fires system.
breakingdefense.com/2026/01/norw...
breakingdefense.com/2026/01/norw...
January 29, 2026 at 9:16 PM
STOCKHOLM — In a significant victory for South Korean defense exports, Norway selected Hanwha Aerospace’s Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system over prominent Western competitors for its ground-based long-range precision fires system.
breakingdefense.com/2026/01/norw...
breakingdefense.com/2026/01/norw...
Reposted by Jonas Olsson
And one small step - among several at the moment - towards a different nuclear posture in Europe
bsky.app/profile/jona...
bsky.app/profile/jona...
STOCKHOLM — Sweden has had very early discussions with France and the United Kingdom about possible nuclear weapons cooperation, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has revealed.
breakingdefense.com
breakingdefense.com
January 27, 2026 at 7:54 PM
And one small step - among several at the moment - towards a different nuclear posture in Europe
bsky.app/profile/jona...
bsky.app/profile/jona...
STOCKHOLM — Sweden has had very early discussions with France and the United Kingdom about possible nuclear weapons cooperation, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has revealed.
breakingdefense.com
breakingdefense.com
January 27, 2026 at 3:53 PM
STOCKHOLM — Sweden has had very early discussions with France and the United Kingdom about possible nuclear weapons cooperation, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has revealed.
breakingdefense.com
breakingdefense.com
Farewell New START – Hello Arms Race
In just 10 days, New START expires. That's the last remaining arms control agreement between the US and Russia that caps strategic nuclear weapons and allows on-site inspections.
My latest @mediehusetkvartal.bsky.social
kvartal.se/olawong/arti...
In just 10 days, New START expires. That's the last remaining arms control agreement between the US and Russia that caps strategic nuclear weapons and allows on-site inspections.
My latest @mediehusetkvartal.bsky.social
kvartal.se/olawong/arti...
January 26, 2026 at 9:24 PM
Farewell New START – Hello Arms Race
In just 10 days, New START expires. That's the last remaining arms control agreement between the US and Russia that caps strategic nuclear weapons and allows on-site inspections.
My latest @mediehusetkvartal.bsky.social
kvartal.se/olawong/arti...
In just 10 days, New START expires. That's the last remaining arms control agreement between the US and Russia that caps strategic nuclear weapons and allows on-site inspections.
My latest @mediehusetkvartal.bsky.social
kvartal.se/olawong/arti...
Oslo and Copenhagen have separately, and on the same day, confirmed significant additions to their naval forces, both aimed at strengthening surveillance and protection of undersea infrastructure and strategic maritime areas in the North European waters.
breakingdefense.com/2025/12/norw...
breakingdefense.com/2025/12/norw...
Norway to buy two extra submarines, Denmark buys new surveillance ship in Nordic maritime push - Breaking Defense
Oslo and Copenhagen have separately, and on the same day, confirmed significant additions to their naval forces, both aimed at strengthening surveillance and protection of undersea infrastructure and ...
breakingdefense.com
December 9, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Oslo and Copenhagen have separately, and on the same day, confirmed significant additions to their naval forces, both aimed at strengthening surveillance and protection of undersea infrastructure and strategic maritime areas in the North European waters.
breakingdefense.com/2025/12/norw...
breakingdefense.com/2025/12/norw...
STOCKHOLM — The Polish government has officially chosen the Swedish offer of Saab’s next-generation A26 Blekinge-class submarines for its long-awaited Orka submarine program, in what is expected to be a 10 billion Polish zloty ($2.52 billion) investment.
breakingdefense.com/2025/11/pola...
breakingdefense.com/2025/11/pola...
Poland selects Sweden’s Saab A26 as future submarine - Breaking Defense
The deal for three submarines is expected to be a 10 billion Polish zloty ($2.52 billion) investment.
breakingdefense.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:41 PM
STOCKHOLM — The Polish government has officially chosen the Swedish offer of Saab’s next-generation A26 Blekinge-class submarines for its long-awaited Orka submarine program, in what is expected to be a 10 billion Polish zloty ($2.52 billion) investment.
breakingdefense.com/2025/11/pola...
breakingdefense.com/2025/11/pola...
🇸🇪 Sweden to pick partner for 4 new Luleå-class frigates (~120m, advanced AD, drones, NATO-compatible) by early 2026, DefMin Pål Jonson announces.
🇫🇷 France officially in the race, confirmed today alongside French DefMin Catherine Vautrin in Stockholm.
breakingdefense.com/2025/11/swed...
🇫🇷 France officially in the race, confirmed today alongside French DefMin Catherine Vautrin in Stockholm.
breakingdefense.com/2025/11/swed...
Sweden to pick next frigate design by 'early 2026,' working on GlobalEye sale to France - Breaking Defense
France's defense minister was in Stockholm today pitching Naval Group's offering.
breakingdefense.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:33 PM
🇸🇪 Sweden to pick partner for 4 new Luleå-class frigates (~120m, advanced AD, drones, NATO-compatible) by early 2026, DefMin Pål Jonson announces.
🇫🇷 France officially in the race, confirmed today alongside French DefMin Catherine Vautrin in Stockholm.
breakingdefense.com/2025/11/swed...
🇫🇷 France officially in the race, confirmed today alongside French DefMin Catherine Vautrin in Stockholm.
breakingdefense.com/2025/11/swed...
With royal push, Sweden pitches Canada on economic benefits of buying Gripen
breakingdefense.com/2025/11/with...
breakingdefense.com/2025/11/with...
With royal push, Sweden pitches Canada on economic benefits of buying Gripen - Breaking Defense
Sweden's king and queen joined the country's defense minister in visiting Canada this week as part of a broad push that included support of defense sales.
breakingdefense.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:23 PM
With royal push, Sweden pitches Canada on economic benefits of buying Gripen
breakingdefense.com/2025/11/with...
breakingdefense.com/2025/11/with...
STOCKHOLM — As a NATO anti-submarine warfare exercise kicked off this week, top commanders said that with Sweden in the alliance, the Baltic Sea is now a “lake full of NATO submarines” under unified command. breakingdefense.com/2025/11/with...
With Sweden, Baltic Sea now a ‘lake full of NATO submarines’ - Breaking Defense
Sweden’s entry into NATO has dramatically shifted the formerly non-military aligned nation’s naval doctrine: no longer just defending its own shores, the Swedish navy now guards the alliance’s eastern...
breakingdefense.com
November 11, 2025 at 11:29 PM
STOCKHOLM — As a NATO anti-submarine warfare exercise kicked off this week, top commanders said that with Sweden in the alliance, the Baltic Sea is now a “lake full of NATO submarines” under unified command. breakingdefense.com/2025/11/with...
Reposted by Jonas Olsson
It's never too late to join Substack! Subscribe to my newsletter on defense & security news from NATO's northern flank. Welcome aboard!
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substack.com/profile/1417...
Jonas Olsson (@jonasolsson)
Sweden to Launch New Civilian Foreign Intelligence Agency by 2027
STOCKHOLM — The Swedish government today announced plans to establish a new civilian foreign intelligence service, set to begin oper...
substack.com
October 27, 2025 at 4:14 PM
It's never too late to join Substack! Subscribe to my newsletter on defense & security news from NATO's northern flank. Welcome aboard!
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COPENHAGEN — Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson today signed a letter of intent laying the groundwork for Kyiv to make a massive purchase of anywhere from 100 to 150 Gripen E fighter jets from Swedih Saab. breakingdefense.com/2025/10/ukra...
Ukraine moves to buy scores of Saab Gripen fighters from Sweden - Breaking Defense
"This is the beginning of a long journey, but it takes us one step closer to a major export deal for Saab and Sweden and Ukraine," the Swedish prime minister said.
breakingdefense.com
October 22, 2025 at 6:26 PM
COPENHAGEN — Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson today signed a letter of intent laying the groundwork for Kyiv to make a massive purchase of anywhere from 100 to 150 Gripen E fighter jets from Swedih Saab. breakingdefense.com/2025/10/ukra...
STOCKHOLM — Sweden will participate in NATO’s annual nuclear military exercise for the first time, a major step for a nation that avoided military alliance for 200 years and has avoided nuclear entanglements entirely.
breakingdefense.com/2025/10/swed...
breakingdefense.com/2025/10/swed...
Sweden comes out of its nuclear closet, sending Gripens to NATO’s Steadfast Noon drill - Breaking Defense
“In an increasingly uncertain world, NATO needs a credible nuclear capability to prevent attacks against the Alliance. Steadfast Noon contributes to ensuring this,” Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said...
breakingdefense.com
October 10, 2025 at 8:25 PM
STOCKHOLM — Sweden will participate in NATO’s annual nuclear military exercise for the first time, a major step for a nation that avoided military alliance for 200 years and has avoided nuclear entanglements entirely.
breakingdefense.com/2025/10/swed...
breakingdefense.com/2025/10/swed...
Berlin revealed that it is considering Swedish defense firm Saab’s airborne early warning and control platform (AEW&C), Global Eye. France has already opted for the surveillance and command plane.
breakingdefense.com/2025/09/germ...
breakingdefense.com/2025/09/germ...
Germany and Sweden not discussing FCAS partnership, say defense ministers - Breaking Defense
"A decision must and will be made regarding whether and how FCAS will continue” said German defense minister Boris Pistorius.
breakingdefense.com
September 24, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Berlin revealed that it is considering Swedish defense firm Saab’s airborne early warning and control platform (AEW&C), Global Eye. France has already opted for the surveillance and command plane.
breakingdefense.com/2025/09/germ...
breakingdefense.com/2025/09/germ...
🇸🇪 Sweden to phase out dev aid to Myanmar by June ‘26, redirecting focus to Ukraine. Move comes as conditions worsen under Myanmar’s junta. #Sweden #Myanmar #Ukraine #ForeignAid
➡️ www.regeringen.se/pressmeddela...
➡️ www.regeringen.se/pressmeddela...
Sverige fasar ut biståndet till Myanmar
Sverige fortsätter omläggningen av biståndet för att kunna prioritera Ukraina. Regeringen fattar nu beslut om att fasa ut biståndet till Myanmar....
www.regeringen.se
September 12, 2025 at 5:48 AM
🇸🇪 Sweden to phase out dev aid to Myanmar by June ‘26, redirecting focus to Ukraine. Move comes as conditions worsen under Myanmar’s junta. #Sweden #Myanmar #Ukraine #ForeignAid
➡️ www.regeringen.se/pressmeddela...
➡️ www.regeringen.se/pressmeddela...
STOCKHOLM — Just three days after Sweden closed a $550 million deal with Bangkok for four Gripen E/F fighter jets, a high-level Peruvian delegation in search of its own more modern fighter fleet visited Stockholm to hold talks with their Swedish counterparts about Saab’s Gripen.
Sweden had ‘productive’ Gripen talks with Peru as Lima shops for new fighter fleet
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/08/sweden-had-productive-gripen-talks-with-peru-as-lima-shops-for-new-fighter-fleet/
Sweden had ‘productive’ Gripen talks with Peru as Lima shops for new fighter fleet
Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson told Breaking Defense that up to 24 airframes are on the table.
breakingdefense.com
August 28, 2025 at 4:22 PM
STOCKHOLM — Just three days after Sweden closed a $550 million deal with Bangkok for four Gripen E/F fighter jets, a high-level Peruvian delegation in search of its own more modern fighter fleet visited Stockholm to hold talks with their Swedish counterparts about Saab’s Gripen.
STOCKHOLM — Sweden and Thailand finalized an agreement today in which Bangkok will buy four Gripen E/F fighter jets from Swedish defense firm Saab, with an order value of around 5.3 billion Swedish kronor ($550 million USD).
Saab secures $550M Gripen E/F order for Thailand
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/08/saab-secures-550m-gripen-e-f-order-for-thailand/
Saab secures $550M Gripen E/F order for Thailand
The Swedish parliament, Riksdagen, has also given the government authority to enter into an agreement with Thailand on up to 12 new Gripens and additional air defense systems.
breakingdefense.com
August 25, 2025 at 7:13 PM
STOCKHOLM — Sweden and Thailand finalized an agreement today in which Bangkok will buy four Gripen E/F fighter jets from Swedish defense firm Saab, with an order value of around 5.3 billion Swedish kronor ($550 million USD).
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...