*STOCKHOLM: Swedish Finance Minister Magdalena Andersson said on Saturdaythe centre-left coalition government would introduce a bank tax to helpfund greater defence spending from 2022.*
The Social Democrats and Greens said on Friday they had agreed with theCentre and Liberal Parties, which back them in parliament, to boost defencespending by 5 billion Swedish crowns ($520 million) a year from 2022 to2025.
Sweden has been strengthening its armed forces and is concerned aboutincreasing tensions with Russia in the Baltic region. Last year, Swedensaid it would buy the Patriot air defence missile system from U.S. armsmanufacturer Raytheon Co (RTN.N) in a 10 billion crown deal.
