Pål Jonson

Pål Henning Jonson (born 30 May 1972) is a Swedish politician of the Moderate Party. He has served as Minister for Defence in the cabinet of Ulf Kristersson since 2022.

Biography Jonson was born on 30 May 1972, in Älgå on the northwestern shore of Lake Glafsfjord (Göta-Älv basin). His parents, Bo Jonson and Marya Jonson, were farmers.

In 1991, Jonson graduated from the sports gymnasium in Lycksele. In 1998 he graduated from Georgetown University, where he studied international politics and received a bachelor's degree. He graduated with a Master of Arts in European politics from the College of Europe in 1999. Jonson succeeded her as member of the Riksdag for the Värmland County constituency.

Minister for Defence (2022–present) As Minister for Defence, Jonson oversaw Sweden’s accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Sweden deposited its instrument of accession on 7 March 2024, becoming NATO’s 32nd member, followed by a flag-raising at NATO Headquarters on 11 March 2024.

In 2024 Sweden met NATO’s 2% of GDP defence-spending guideline, according to NATO estimates. For 2025, the Government projected appropriations for the military defence of SEK 138 billion. In June 2025, the Riksdag approved borrowing of SEK 300 billion to accelerate force growth, ammunition stocks and air defence, with officials describing a trajectory toward around 3.5% of GDP by the early 2030s.

Under Jonson, Sweden expanded and systematised military support to Ukraine. On 11 September 2025, the Government presented a framework of SEK 40 billion for military support in both 2026 and 2027. Earlier packages included the transfer of Stridsvagn 122 (Leopard 2A5) tanks and, in May 2024, a pledge to donate two ASC 890 airborne surveillance and control aircraft. In May 2024, reports stated that Sweden places no geographic restrictions on the use of donated weapons beyond international law.

Jonson oversaw the negotiation and implementation of the Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) with the United States, signed on 5 December 2023 and in force from 15 August 2024. The DCA enables U.S. access to agreed facilities in Sweden (17 locations) and pre-positioning under the NATO SOFA framework. Implementation advanced in 2025, including a first infrastructure agreement signed between U.S. European Command and the Swedish Armed Forces on 3 June 2025. In parallel, Sweden entered the U.S. State Partnership Program with the New York National Guard on 12 July 2024; subsequent exchanges have focused on training and capability development.

Honours