tbh, Sweden doesn't need to rush. Finland had to, given the location. But the only one who could sensibly attack Sweden right now without ratling NATO would be NATO.
I mean NATO is good for security, but don't you already got Finland as a barrier against Russia? I don't see a need to rush. What's Russia gonna do? Invade via the water?
Our defence has historically been coordinated to a high degree with Finland, and with only one of us in NATO it makes this coordination more difficult. So, in some ways, we are worse off than before the process started.
As it is now, Sweden is generally not worried about a land invasion. The danger is how exposed we are from the baltic.
A large part of why we want in is for continued solidarity and support of Finland. It is much better for Finland if we are in than if we are not.
As an American with a Swedish wife, if anything serious happens in the baltic, I think you can safely expect Virginia-class subs to start sprouting like dandelions.
Sweden isn't in NATO, but neither is New Zealand, and if China started sending boats for unfriendly visits I'm pretty sure we'd tool up and say "What's all this then?!"