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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The Nordic defence ministers conferred within the framework of the Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO)
Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist participated on March 30 in a teleconference with the other Nordic defence ministers within the framework of the Nordic defence cooperation NORDEFCO. The Danish Defence Minister Trine Bramsen hosted the meeting. The focus of the ministers' discussions was on the current COVID-19 pandemic.
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Sweden plans to participate in a new task force in Mali
Minister for Defence Peter Hultqvist attended on 27 March a telephone conference with five other European Defense Ministers and the Defense Ministers in Mali and Niger to discuss a Task Force in the southeastern Mali - operation Takuba. The meeting, which was chaired by the French Minister for the Armed Forces Florence Parly, was held remotely due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Minister for Defence Peter Hultqvist’s keynote speech at Chatham House Security and Defence Conference
Chatham House, 12 March 2020. As prepared. Check against delivery.
· Speech from Peter Hultqvist, Ministry of Defence
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Peter Hultqvist keynote speaker at Chatham House Security and Defence conference in London and meets British Minister for Defence Procurement Jeremy Quin
Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist meets with Britain's Minister for Defence Procurement Jeremy Quin in London on 11 March. The agenda includes discussing regional security in Northern Europe, the joint Future Combat Air Systems Cooperation (FCASC), the defence cooperation Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) and the upcoming Swedish defence exercise Aurora 20. Peter Hultqvist will also be the keynote speaker at the conference "A New Era of Strategic Competition" at the think tank Chatham House.
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Bilateral defence meeting between Sweden and Finland in Karlskrona
Minister for Defence Peter Hultqvist visited Karlskrona together with his Finnish counterpart Antti Kaikkonen on 9–10 March. The ministers discussed the security situation in the Baltic Sea region, bilateral defence cooperation, coming exercises, international missions and other issues of common interest.
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Peter Hultqvist received Hungary’s Minister of Defence Tibor Benkö at Karlberg Palace
On Wednesday 19 February, Minister for Defence Peter Hultqvist received Hungary’s Minister of Defence Tibor Benkö at Karlberg Palace for a bilateral meeting.
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Discussions on the challenges of the West was at focus during the Munich Security Conference 2020
Minister for Defence Peter Hultqvist attended the Munich Security Conference (MSC) from 14 to 16 February. This year’s theme was “Is the world becoming less Western?”.
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Speech by Minister for Defence Peter Hultqvist at the Ukrainian seminar, Yalta European Strategy/Viktor Pinchuk Foundation
Munich, 15 February 2020 Check against delivery.
· Speech from Peter Hultqvist, Ministry of Defence
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Minister for Defence Peter Hultqvist to receive Hungary’s Minister of Defence Tibor Benkö on 19 February
On Wednesday 19 February, Minister for Defence Peter Hultqvist will receive Hungary’s Minister of Defence Tibor Benkö at Karlberg Palace for a bilateral meeting.
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Referral to the Council on Legislation on operational military support between Sweden and Finland
The Government decided on 6 February to refer a proposal to the Council on Legislation on operational military support between Sweden and Finland. The legislative proposal aims, among other things, to enable faster decisions on providing and receiving operational military support within the framework of Swedish-Finnish defence cooperation.
