Defence
This policy area deals with the military defence sector and coordination with the civil defence sector, as well as with issues concerning the national total defence service. The area also includes bilateral and multilateral defence and defence equipment cooperation, admission to Swedish territory, defence intelligence operations and communications security.
Responsible for defence
Responsible ministers
Responsible ministry
News about defence
Riksdag adopts legislation that improves opportunities for operational military support between Sweden and Finland
The Riksdag has voted in favour of the Government's proposal to introduce a new law on operational military support between Sweden and Finland. Photo: Toni Eriksson/Government Offices On 8 September, the Riksdag decided to grant the Government greater rights to give and receive operational military support within the framework of defence cooperation between Sweden and Finland. The Government will be able to take decisions on matters such as assisting Finland militarily to prevent violations of Finnish territory, and receiving military support from Finland to prevent violations of Swedish territory or respond to an armed attack against Sweden. Decisions to assist Finland militarily to respond to an armed attack against Finland must still be approved by the Riksdag.
Swedish Armed Forces
The most important for the Swedish defence during 2016-2020 is to increase the operational capability in the military unit and to secure the collective capability in the total defence.
Long-term financing of military defence
In the Budget Bill for 2020 the Government proposes that military defence will be allocated an additional five billion SEK for the year 2022. This investment is fully funded through a bank tax. The Budget Bill is based on an agreement between the Government, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party.
The Swedish Defence Bill 2016-2020
Thursday, April 23, the Government proposed a Defence Bill 2016-2020 for the Parliament. The defence bill is based on a broad political agreement between five parties; the Social Democratic Party, Moderate Party, Green Party, Centre Party and Christian Democrats.
Defence cooperation between Finland and Sweden
In the autumn of 2013, Sweden and Finland announced their intent to deepen their defence cooperation.
Content about defence
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Joint Press Release: European Intervention Initiative Annual Ministerial Meeting 25 September 2020
On September 25, 2020, the Ministers of Defence of Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom met via videoconference, in the third annual European Intervention Initiative (EI2) meeting.
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Government decision to increase defence spending
The Swedish government has proposed to parliament that the defence sector should be allocated an additional SEK 5 billion in 2021.
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Riksdag adopts legislation that improves opportunities for operational military support between Sweden and Finland
On 8 September, the Riksdag decided to grant the Government greater rights to give and receive operational military support within the framework of defence cooperation between Sweden and Finland. The Government will be able to take decisions on matters such as assisting Finland militarily to prevent violations of Finnish territory, and receiving military support from Finland to prevent violations of Swedish territory or respond to an armed attack against Sweden. Decisions to assist Finland militarily to respond to an armed attack against Finland must still be approved by the Riksdag.
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Multilateral defence ministers meeting about the situation in the Sahel
Minister for Defence Peter Hultqvist has taken part in a multilateral video meeting on 2 September concerning support to the countries in the Sahel region of Africa. The meeting was led by the French Minister for the Armed Forces, Florence Parly, and attended by defence ministers from about ten nations, as well as representatives from the European Union, the United Nations and the United States. The discussions focused mainly on the recent political developments in Mali.
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Minister for Defence Peter Hultqvist attended the 100th anniversary of the Polish Armed Forces Day
Minister for Defence Peter Hultqvist visited Poland on 14–15 August on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Polish Armed Forces Day.
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COVID-19 related issues discussed at NATO meeting
Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist attended a meeting of NATO defence ministers on 18 June concerning the affect the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the Alliance’s members and partner countries. The meeting was also attended by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, as well as the defence ministers of Finland and Australia.
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Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist met defence ministers from Germany and the Nordic countries
On 18 June, Minister for Defence Peter Hultqvist met German Minister of Defence Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer and the defence ministers of the Nordic countries via video link. From Denmark Minister of Defence Trine Bramsen took part, from Norway Minister of Defence Frank Bakke-Jensen and from Finland Minister of Defence Antti Kaikkonen.
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Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist’s speech at UK NATO Heads of Mission’s Forum
Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist attended the UK NATO Heads of Mission’s Forum on Monday 15 June 2020. The event was hosted by the Embassy of the United Kingdom in Sweden and Ambassador Judith Gough. The main theme of the conference focused on disinformation and cyber security.
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Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist’s speech at UK NATO Heads of Mission’s Forum
Stockholm 15 June 2020. Check against delivery.
· Speech from Peter Hultqvist, Ministry of Defence
