Use Patriot missiles to defend Sweden: minister

Sweden should consider placing US-made Patriot missiles on the island of Gotland to help deter resurgent neighbour Russia, Sweden's deputy prime minister has argued in a call for greater military spending.

"We've reduced our national defence capabilities for the last 20 years. Both the 2004 and 2009 defence resolutions totally focused on international missions," Jan Björklund, who is also the Liberal Party (Folkpartiet) leader, said in an interview published on Sunday in the Svenska Dagbladet (SvD) newspaper.

"It's now time for a little self-criticism and reflection. We need stronger national defence capabilities."

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