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.
Development of modern total defence
The total defence includes all activities preparing the society for war and consists of both civil and military defence. When the Government has declared raised or highest level of alert the total defence includes all societal activities
Substantial investment in total defence
In the government bill ‘Totalförsvaret 2021–2025’ (Total Defence 2021–2025), the Government is proposing a substantial increase of capabilities in both military and civilian defence.
International Defence Cooperation
Sweden has extensive defence cooperation with other states and organisations. This cooperation is an integral part of the solidarity-based security policy upon which Sweden builds security together with others. International defence cooperation contributes to strengthening Sweden’s military capabilities to be able to respond to an armed attack.
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
Total 171 hits.
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Speech by Minister for Defence Peter Hultqvist at Hanating, 17 November 2020
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· Speech from Peter Hultqvist, Ministry of Defence
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Swedish-Portuguese defence ministers meeting
A bilateral meeting via video link was held on 16 November between Minister for Defence Peter Hultqvist and Portugal’s Minister of National Defence João Gomes Cravinho. The agenda included regional security, the Sahel and bilateral cooperation.
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Investments in the Budget Bill for 2021 to make Sweden safer and more secure
Enhancing safety and security in society is one of the Government’s most important priorities. In the Budget Bill for 2021, the Government continues to strengthen the judicial chain through important investments in the Swedish Police Authority and the Swedish Prison and Probation Service.
· Article from Ministry of Justice
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Substantial investment in total defence
In the government bill ‘Totalförsvaret 2021–2025’ (Total Defence 2021–2025), the Government is proposing a substantial increase of capabilities in both military and civilian defence. The bill includes proposals on a new and expanded war organisation with reinforcements in all branches and functions of defence, as well as the re-establishment of five regiments and one air wing. The bill also includes substantial investment in military equipment, reinforcements of cyber defence, ammunition and foreign intelligence capabilities, and a doubling of basic-training volumes. Within the civilian defence, resilience is strengthened in several important societal functions.
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Minister for Defence Peter Hultqvist received the Commander of NATO’s Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum
On Wednesday 14 October, Minister for Defence Peter Hultqvist received the Commander of NATO’s Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum, General Jörg Vollmer, at the Ministry of 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.
