Defense Express reported the information.Sweden's Defense Ministry has prepared a comprehensive report for the government outlining the urgent need for a significant boost in the country's defense capabilities within a short-term timeframe of 2-5 years due to the dramatically increased threat from Russia.The report explicitly states that the current situation is an emergency, requiring military armament to proceed faster "than ever in the modern world," according to Swedish publication Expressen. To achieve this goal, the ministry demands greater flexibility, freedom, and authority regarding funding for development and serial production.The priority areas receiving maximum attention include drones and counter-drone systems, ensuring control over the Baltic Sea, improving situational awareness through sensor networks including orbital systems, strengthening air and missile defense, and acquiring the capability to conduct missile strikes at a range of 2,000 kilometers.Defense Express notes that the specific type of missile weaponry is not specified in the report itself, and could include either cruise or ballistic missiles. The latter would be classified as intermediate-range missiles.Sweden officially began discussing intentions to acquire long-range weapons last summer, though without specifying such extensive range requirements. Given the extremely tight timeline, apparently tied to forecasts of Russia's readiness to attack NATO's European segment, the question arises: what options actually exist?The available options are severely limited. In Europe, only France is currently developing ballistic missiles with a 2,000-kilometer range. ArianeGroup's Missile Balistique Terrestre project is scheduled for completion by 2030, followed by deployment. However, France may consider these expensive missiles exclusively as nuclear delivery systems, making widespread distribution unlikely.This leaves cruise missiles as an alternative. However, the market simply lacks cruise missiles with a 2,000-kilometer range. Even if Stockholm could secure Tomahawk purchases at astronomical costs, the maximum range would be 1,600 kilometers. Given current U.S. policy, Swedish procurement of such weapons appears unlikely, as demonstrated by the Netherlands' defense ministry urging domestic manufacturers to provide Tomahawk alternatives.Consequently, Sweden will likely be interested in having its own or, at most, European long-range cruise missiles. Europe currently has only the Land Cruise Missile (LCM) from MDBA, also managed by the French, who have allocated time until 2028 for test preparations. Initially, this will be a cruise missile with a 1,000-kilometer range, later extending to 2,000 kilometers.Given these circumstances, Sweden may risk continuing its decades-long path of domestic development. The possibility of Sweden creating its own cruise missile is quite realistic. Saab has experience in creating and manufacturing anti-ship missiles, including the RBS 15, which in its latest versions has a firing range of up to 300 kilometers and can attack ground targets. Swedish companies also participated in developing Germany's Taurus missile.A country that produces fighter jets and plans to develop "loyal wingmen" with combat artificial intelligence can certainly create cruise missiles. However, even Saab would need to adopt very aggressive work approaches with full government support, as the Defense Ministry wants strike capabilities against Russia at ranges up to 2,000 kilometers by 2030, not just a prototype under testing.