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
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Strategic Export Controls in 2018 – Military Equipment and Dual-Use Items, Comm. 2018/19:114
In this Communication, the Swedish Government provides an account of Sweden’s export control policy with respect to military equipment and dual-use items in 2018. The Communication also contains a report detailing exports of military equipment during the year. In addition, it describes the cooperation in the EU and other international forums on matters relating to strategic export controls on both military equipment and dual-use items.
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Enhanced Nordic dialogue and information exchange in the event of crisis and conflict – summary of defence ministerial meetings on 19–20 November
Sweden’s year as chair of the Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO) was summarised when the Nordic defence ministers met in Stockholm on 19 November. "In 2019, Sweden and our Nordic neighbours have jointly laid the foundation for closer dialogue in the event of a serious crisis or conflict in our region. We have strengthened our ability to reach a common understanding of the security situation during a crisis", says Minister for Defence Peter Hultqvist.
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Minister for Defence Peter Hultqvist to host Nordic defence minister meeting
The Nordic defence ministers will meet on 19–20 November within the framework of the common Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO). Sweden holds the chair in 2019, and the ministers are expected to agree on matters such as a mechanism for crisis consultations between defence ministries.
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Press invitation to Nordic defence ministerial meeting on 19–20 November in Stockholm
The Nordic defence ministers will meet on 19–20 November in Stockholm within the framework of Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO). The issues the ministers will discuss include a common platform for dialogue on security and defence policy for more efficient practical defence cooperation.
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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.
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Denmark's Defence minister visited Sweden
Denmark's new Defence minister Trine Bramsen visited Sweden on August 30 for bilateral talks with Minister for Defence Peter Hultqvist. The ministers discussed bilateral defence cooperation, the security policy situation in Northern Europe, international operations and other defence policy issues of common interest.
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Sweden and United Kingdom sign agreement on development of future combat aircraft capabilities
On 18 July, Minister for Defence Peter Hultqvist and the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Defence Penny Mordaunt signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in London agreeing to examine the possibilities for joint development of future combat aircraft capabilities and combat aircraft systems.
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Continued deepening of defence cooperation between Sweden and Finland
When Minister for Defence Peter Hultqvist hosted his first official meeting with Finland’s Minister of Defence Antti Kaikkonen, continued deepening of Finnish-Swedish bilateral defence cooperation and the security situation in the Baltic Sea region were on the agenda.
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JEF – partnership for regional security
The defence ministers and supreme commanders from the nations of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) met in Klaipėda, Lithuania, on 28 June. Sweden was represented by Policy Director Johan Lagerlöf and Chief of Defence Staff of the Swedish Armed Forces Jonas Haggren.
· Article from Ministry of Defence
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Permanent Secretaries meeting in Luleå within the framework of the Swedish chairmanship of NORDEFCO
State Secretary Jan-Olof Lind hosted the Nordic permanent secretaries meeting that was held in Luleå on 23–24 May within the framework of the Swedish chairmanship of NORDEFCO. The agenda included information about national defence plans, international cooperation and total defence. In connection with the meeting, the state secretaries visited the Arctic Challenge Exercise.
· Article from Ministry of Defence
