Civil defence

Updated version 23/10 16:30: It has been confirmed that an undersea telecommunications cable between Sweden and Estonia has been damaged by means of external force or tampering. Minister for Defence Pål Jonson and Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin held a press conference on Tuesday 17 October to provide an overview of the situation and describe what government agencies are doing in response. Chief of the Swedish Navy Ewa Skoog Haslum and Director General of the Swedish Coast Guard Lena Lindgren Schelin also took part in the press conference.

In light of the serious security environment, the Government has proposed a number of investments in civil defence and crisis preparedness in the Budget Bill for 2024 and the autumn amending budget for 2023.

On 29 August, Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin held a press conference with acting Director General of the Psychological Defence Agency Magnus Hjort. They presented a status report on the extensive malign influence campaigns targeting Sweden. They also announced a new assignment for the Psychological Defence Agency, accompanied by increased funding.

Today, Wednesday 26 July, Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin held a press briefing on recent influence campaigns against Sweden. Mikael Östlund, Head of Communications at the Psychological Defence Agency (MPF), also took part.

On 19 June 2023, the Swedish Defence Commission submitted its report on Sweden’s Security Policy to Minister for Defence Pål Jonson. The Defence Commission concludes that the world is at a crossroads. The rules-based international order is being challenged by autocratic states such as Russia and China. A large-scale war in Europe is a reality, and Russia has set a course for a long-term conflict with the West. An aggressive Russia should form the basis for the long-term development of Swedish total defence. Sweden must have the capability to defend its territory against an armed attack as a part of NATO’s collective defence.

On 26 April 2023, the Swedish Defence Commission submitted a midterm report to the Minister for Defence Pål Jonson. The report was agreed upon by all political parties represented in the Riksdag. The report included three parts: a review of the implementation of the Government Bill Totalförsvaret 2021–2025 (Total Defence 2021–2025) that the Government adopted on 15 December 2020, suggestions on how Sweden should report its defence expenditures to NATO and a proposal on general guidelines for defence spending between 2026–2030. One of the main conclusions is that the next defence bill should be adopted one year earlier than planned, in 2025 instead of 2026.

Foreign direct investments are hugely important to Sweden’s business sector. At the same time, there are risks associated with foreign actors investing in protected activities. The Government has therefore today decided to refer a proposal to the Council on Legislation for a new act under which investments that involve security risks can be reviewed by a special screening authority and, if necessary, prohibited.

Today, Thursday 9 February, Sweden has sent an additional 45 personnel and search and rescue dogs by transport aircraft to Türkiye. This joint contribution by the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency and the Swedish Armed Forces is part of Sweden’s support to those affected by the devastating earthquakes, and a response to a request from Türkiye.

In response to the humanitarian situation following the powerful earthquakes that struck Türkiye and Syria, the Swedish Government has taken a swift decision to provide an additional SEK 30 million in humanitarian support and to contribute experts and equipment. The Government has also authorised the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency to offer support via NATO.

On Tuesday 7 February, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell and Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin will hold a press conference on a new support package to earthquake-stricken Türkiye and Syria.

The Government is taking swift and resolute action in response to the earthquake that hit Türkiye and northern Syria today, through support measures and in its role as holder of the Presidency of the Council of the EU.

On Monday 6 February at 17.00, Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell and Director General for the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) Charlotte Petri Gornitzka will hold a joint press conference on Swedens support to Türkiye and Syria.

Speech by Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin, delivered at the Folk och Försvar Annual National Conference in Sälen on 9 January 2023. Check against delivery.

Speech by Minister for Defence Pål Jonson, delivered at the Folk och Försvar Annual National Conference in Sälen on 9 January 2023. Check against delivery.