The Swedish Government is proposing 400 million Swedish kronor for the Swedish National Space Agency (Rymdstyrelsen) and SSC Space AB in the spring supplementary budget. The funding is intended to strengthen Sweden's capacity to launch satellites and develop space infrastructure for both civilian and military needs.

– These investments increase Sweden's capability to launch military and civilian satellites. The defence of Sweden will increasingly be strengthened through space. The contribution strengthens both Sweden's and our allies' collective defence capability, says Defence Minister Pål Jonson in a press release.

The Swedish National Space Agency will receive 14 million kronor during 2026 to develop the processing of permits for space activities. The aim is to create a more efficient and legally sound review process as more actors establish themselves in the space sector.

– This is crucial for Sweden to be able to meet the demands and expectations arising from the new reality in the space domain, create predictability for commercial actors, and ensure peaceful purposes and sustainable use of space for future generations, the Government writes in the press release.

At the same time, SSC Space AB will receive a capital injection of 386 million kronor. The funds will, among other things, strengthen launch capabilities at the Esrange Space Center space base.

– The Swedish National Space Agency welcomes the proposed reinforcements. They represent important steps towards meeting the demands that follow from a rapidly growing space sector, improving licensing processes, and strengthening Swedish space infrastructure and launch capability in the long term, says the Director General of the Swedish National Space Agency, Ella Carlsson, in a press release from the agency.

According to the Government, the investments are intended to contribute to strengthening both Sweden's civilian space activities and the country's defence capability, as well as improving access to space infrastructure for Sweden and its allies.

– In line with the defence and security strategy for space, the Government is now making historic investments to develop Sweden's space capability for total defence. This includes, among other things, the development of Esrange's launch capability to place satellites in orbit, as well as the procurement of dedicated military reconnaissance satellites, says the Government.

Earlier in March, NDS reported on the agreement, worth 209 million kronor, signed by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and SSC Space to establish satellite launch capability from Esrange in Kiruna (northern Sweden).