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
Minister Hultqvist explained the roadmap toward the future Swedish defence at press briefing
An increase of the annual defence budget by 85 percent from 2015 to 2025. A new and larger war-time organisation, six new training establishments and new procurements. The Swedish Minister for Defence, Peter Hultqvist, presented the largest investment in Sweden’s defence capabilities in 70 years to international media on April 7.
Acting Secretary of the U.S. Air Force and The Nordic Ministers of Defence sign Letter of Intent on Nordic-US joint exercise ‘Arctic Challenge’ (ACE)
Finland's Minister of Defence Antti Kaikkonen, US Acting Secretary of the Air Force John P. Roth, Norway's Minister of Defence Frank Bakke Jensen, Denmark's Minister of Defence Trine Bramsen and Sweden's Minister for Defence Peter Hultqvist. Photo: Ministies of Defence in Finland, USA, Norway, Denmark and Sweden
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 175 hits.
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Minister Hultqvist explained the roadmap toward the future Swedish defence at press briefing
An increase of the annual defence budget by 85 percent from 2015 to 2025. A new and larger war-time organisation, six new training establishments and new procurements. The Swedish Minister for Defence, Peter Hultqvist, presented the largest investment in Sweden’s defence capabilities in 70 years to international media on April 7.
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Minister for Defence Peter Hultqvist took part in NATO meeting
Minister for Defence Peter Hultqvist took part in the Meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence on 17 February held via videoconference. Mr Hultqvist and Finland’s Minister for Defence Antti Kaikkonen were among those specially invited to attend one of the sessions.
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Swedish-Ukrainian defence ministers meeting
On 17 February, Minister for Defence Peter Hultqvist took part in a video conference with Ukrainian Minister of Defence Andrii Taran. Items on the agenda included bilateral cooperation and the state of the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine.
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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.