Swedish Armed Forces

{{Main|List of equipment of the Swedish Armed Forces}}{{No references|section|date=June 2024}}

The Swedish army has 121 tanks (Leopard 2/Strv 122), roughly 1,540 APCs (Patria XA-360/203/180, RG-32 Scout, Bv410, Bv308/309), 450 IFVs (CV9040), 11,300 utility vehicles (ex. Bv206/208, MB G-Class 6x6 and 4x4, MB sprinter), 84 towed and 40 self-propelled mortar (12 cm grk m/41, grkpbv90) and 26 self-propelled artillery guns (Archer). It also consists of several different specialized vehicles.

The Swedish Navy has a total of 387 ships, including 4 submarines (3 Gotland, 1 Södermanland), 7 corvettes (5 Visby, 2 Gävle), 9 minesweepers (5 Koster, 4 Styrsö), 13 larger patrol boats (2 Stockholm and 11 Tapper) and 9 specialised ships with different support duties. The rest is made up of different smaller vessels such as the CB90.

Currently the Swedish Airforce has a total of 210 aircraft, 94 of those being JAS39C/D Gripen (60 JAS39E on order), 6 C130H Hercules (1 with aerial refueling capabilities), 4 SAAB 340 (2 AEW&C and 2 VIP transport), 4 Gulfstream IV (2 SIGINT and 2 VIP transport) as well as 15 UH-60 Blackhawk, 18 NH90 and 20 AgustaWestland helicopters. The rest is made up of different transport and trainer aircraft.

{{main|Military history of Sweden}}

The history of the Swedish Armed Forces dates back to the early sixteenth century, when they were founded by the newly crowned monarch Gustav I Vasa. Since then, they have played an important role in the history of Sweden; they have been engaged in numerous conflicts since their founding.

It was in the seventeenth century that the Swedish Armed Forces reached their height, during the time of the Swedish Empire. During this time, they were among the leaders in military innovation, and engaged in many wars; among the Swedish wars of the seventeenth century were the Thirty Years' War, Second Northern War, Scanian War and Great Northern War. The military of the Swedish Empire was one of the most important institutions in the empire.{{Cite web |last=Ceithernach |date=2021-01-04 |title=The Swedish Military Machine |url=https://medium.com/@ceithernach/the-swedish-military-machine-dd10c6a245f8 |access-date=2023-12-13 |website=Medium |language=en}}

After a period of enhanced readiness during World War I, the Swedish Armed Forces were subject to severe downsizing during the interwar years. When World War II started, a large rearmament program was launched to once again guard Swedish neutrality, relying on mass male conscription as a source for personnel.

After World War II, Sweden considered building nuclear weapons to deter a Soviet invasion. From 1945 to 1972 the Swedish government ran a clandestine nuclear weapons program under the guise of civilian defence research at the Swedish National Defence Research Institute. By the late 1950s, the work had reached the point where underground testing was feasible. However, at that time the Riksdag prohibited research and development of nuclear weapons, pledging that research should be done only for the purpose of defence against nuclear attack. The option to continue development was abandoned in 1966, and Sweden subsequently signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1968; the program was finally concluded in 1972.

During the Cold War, the wartime mass conscription system was kept in place to act as a deterrent to the Soviet Union, seen as the greatest military threat to Sweden. The end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union meant that the perceived threat lessened and the armed forces were downsized, with conscription taking in fewer and fewer recruits until it was deactivated in 2010. This small size is often considered one of the major strategic weaknesses of the Swedish Armed Forces.{{Cite web |last=dpeleschuk |date=2022-05-18 |title=Sweden would strengthen NATO with fresh thinking and an able force |url=https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/sweden-would-strengthen-nato-with-fresh-thinking-and-an-able-force/ |access-date=2023-12-13 |website=Atlantic Council |language=en-US}}

The Russo-Georgian War of 2008 and the events in Ukraine in 2014 gradually shifted Swedish debate back in favour of increased defence spending, as concerns grew over Russia's military buildup and intentions. Conscription was reintroduced in 2017 to supplement the insufficient number of volunteers signing up for service. Unlike in the past, the current conscription system applies to both men and women.

Following the United Kingdom leaving the European Union in 2020, the EU's mutual defence clause (Lisbon Treaty Article 42.7) ceased to apply to the UK. In 2022, Sweden and the UK signed a mutual security deal, re-pledging support if either state is attacked.{{Cite web |title=EUR-Lex - mutual_defence - EN - EUR-Lex |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/EN/legal-content/glossary/mutual-defence-clause.html |access-date=2022-07-08 |website=eur-lex.europa.eu |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Kauranen |first=Anne |date=2022-05-11 |title=UK strikes new security agreement with Sweden and Finland |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/uk-strikes-new-security-agreement-with-sweden-finland-2022-05-11/ |access-date=2022-07-08}}

On June 29, 2022, Finland and Sweden were formally invited to become members of NATO,{{cite news |last1=Chatterjee |first1=Phelan |title=Sweden and Finland's journey from neutral to Nato |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61397478 |website=BBC.com |date=10 May 2022 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=23 September 2022}} and joined respectively in 2023 and 2024.

{{main|Foreign relations of Sweden}}

The Swedish Armed Forces have four main tasks:{{cite web |url=http://www.forsvarsmakten.se/sv/om-forsvarsmakten/Lattlast-information-om-Forsvarsmakten/Forsvarets-fyra-huvuduppgifter/ |title=Försvarets fyra huvuduppgifter |trans-title=The four main tasks of the Armed Forces |language=sv |date=17 September 2013 |website=Swedish Armed Forces |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130917163753/http://www.forsvarsmakten.se/sv/om-forsvarsmakten/Lattlast-information-om-Forsvarsmakten/Forsvarets-fyra-huvuduppgifter/ |archive-date=17 September 2013}}

1. To assert the territorial integrity of Sweden.
2. To defend the country if attacked by a foreign nation.
3. To support the civil community in case of disasters (e.g. flooding).
4. To deploy forces to international peace support operations.

Sweden aims to have the option of remaining neutral in case of proximate war.{{cite web |url=http://www.regeringen.se/sb/d/10660 |title=Sveriges säkerhetspolitik |trans-title=Sweden's security policy |language=sv |date=25 March 2008 |website=Government Office of Sweden |quote=Sverige är militärt alliansfritt. Denna säkerhetspolitiska linje, med möjlighet till neutralitet vid konflikter i vårt närområde, har tjänat oss väl. [Sweden is militarily non-aligned. This line of security policy, with the possibility of neutrality in the event of conflicts in our immediate area, has served us well.] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081019193711/http://www.regeringen.se/sb/d/10660 |archive-date=19 October 2008}} However, Sweden cooperates militarily with a number of foreign countries. As a member state of the European Union, Sweden is acting as the leading state for EU Battlegroups{{cite web |url=http://www.mil.se/en/Organisation/Units-on-standby/Nordic-Battlegroup/ |title=Nordic Battlegroup |website=Swedish Armed Forces |date=19 January 2009 |access-date=5 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090603164432/http://www.mil.se/en/Organisation/Units-on-standby/Nordic-Battlegroup/ |archive-date=3 June 2009}} and also has a close cooperation, including joint exercises, with NATO through its membership in Partnership for Peace and Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council.{{cite web |url=http://www.regeringen.se/sb/d/2561/a/13848 |title=Sverige och NATO |trans-title=Sweden and NATO |language=sv |website=Government Office of Sweden |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613025353/http://www.regeringen.se/sb/d/2561/a/13848 |archive-date=13 June 2011}} In 2008 a partnership was initiated between the Nordic countries to, among other things, increase the capability of joint action, and this led to the creation of the Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO).{{cite web |url=http://www.mil.se/en/About-the-Armed-Forces/Nordic-defence-cooperation/ |title=Nordic defence cooperation |date=6 March 2009 |website=Swedish Armed Forces |access-date=5 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090903094308/http://www.mil.se/en/About-the-Armed-Forces/Nordic-defence-cooperation/ |archive-date=3 September 2009}}{{cite web |url=http://www.mil.se/en/About-the-Armed-Forces/Nordic-defence-cooperation/Background-to-cooperation/ |title=Background to cooperation |date=6 March 2009 |website=Swedish Armed Forces |access-date=5 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805093436/http://www.mil.se/en/About-the-Armed-Forces/Nordic-defence-cooperation/Background-to-cooperation/ |archive-date=5 August 2012}} As a response to the expanded military cooperation the defence proposition of 2009 stated that Sweden will not remain passive if a Nordic country or a member state of the European Union were attacked.{{cite web |url=http://www.regeringen.se/sb/d/11431/a/122883 |title=Ett användbart försvar |trans-title=A useful defence |language=sv |date=19 March 2009 |website=Government Office of Sweden |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225044957/http://www.regeringen.se/sb/d/11431/a/122883 |archive-date=25 February 2015}}

Recent political decisions have strongly emphasized the capability to participate in international operations, to the point where this has become the main short-term goal of training and equipment acquisition.{{cite web |url=http://www.regeringen.se/sb/d/526/a/3217 |title=Försvarsreformen |trans-title=Defence reform |language=sv |date=18 February 2004 |website=Government Office of Sweden |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080601200422/http://www.regeringen.se/sb/d/526/a/3217 |archive-date=1 June 2008}}{{cite web |url=http://www.mil.se/en/About-the-Armed-Forces/Our-task/ |title=Our task |date=25 September 2007 |website=Swedish Armed Forces |access-date=5 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090803211345/http://mil.se/en/About-the-Armed-Forces/Our-task/ |archive-date=3 August 2009}}{{cite web |url=http://www.mil.se/en/About-the-Armed-Forces/The-Swedish-military-service-system/ |title=The Swedish military service system |date=28 September 2007 |website=Swedish Armed Forces |access-date=5 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090901185632/http://www.mil.se/en/About-the-Armed-Forces/The-Swedish-military-service-system/ |archive-date=1 September 2009}} However, after the 2008 South Ossetia war territorial defence was once again emphasized. Until then most units could not be mobilized within one year. In 2009 the Minister for Defence stated that in the future all of the armed forces must be capable of fully mobilizing within one week.{{cite web |url=http://www.regeringen.se/sb/d/11431/a/122883 |title=Ett användbart försvar – med kraftigt stärkt försvarsförmåga |trans-title=A useful defence - with greatly strengthened defensive ability |language=sv |website=Swedish Armed Forces |access-date=25 February 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225044957/http://www.regeringen.se/sb/d/11431/a/122883 |archive-date=25 February 2015}}

In 2013, after Russian air exercises in close proximity to the Swedish border were widely reported, only six percent of Swedes expressed confidence in the ability of the nation to defend itself.{{cite web |url=http://www.acus.org/natosource/most-swedes-doubt-sweden-can-defend-itself |title=Most Swedes doubt Sweden can defend itself |last1=Benitez |first1=Jorge |date=30 April 2013 |website=Atlantic Council |access-date=30 April 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130703162506/http://www.acus.org/natosource/most-swedes-doubt-sweden-can-defend-itself |archive-date=3 July 2013}}

{{Location map+ |Sweden

| relief = 1

| width = 480

| float = right

| caption = Swedish Armed Forces main bases 2024
10px Naval Base 10px Air Base 10px Infantry Base 10px Mechanized Infantry Base
10px Cavalry Base 10px Artillery Base 10px Air Defence Base 10px Engineer Base

| places =

{{Location map~|Sweden

| label = {{nowrap|Norrbotten Rgt.}}

| position = left

| background = white

| mark = Green pog.svg

| marksize = 8

| lat_deg = 65 | lat_min = 49 | lat_dir = N

| lon_deg = 21 | lon_min = 38 | lon_dir = E

}}

{{Location map~|Sweden

| label = {{nowrap|Västernorrland Rgt.}}

| position = left

| background = white

| mark = Green pog.svg

| marksize = 8

| lat_deg = 63 | lat_min = 10 | lat_dir = N

| lon_deg = 17 | lon_min = 16 | lon_dir = E

}}

{{Location map~|Sweden

| label = {{nowrap|Dalarna Rgt.}}

| position = left

| background = white

| mark = Green pog.svg

| marksize = 8

| lat_deg = 60 | lat_min = 36 | lat_dir = N

| lon_deg = 15 | lon_min = 37 | lon_dir = E

}}

{{Location map~|Sweden

| label = {{nowrap|Norrland Dragoon Rgt.}}

| position = left

| background = white

| mark = Lightgreen pog.svg

| marksize = 8

| lat_deg = 65 | lat_min = 35 | lat_dir = N

| lon_deg = 19 | lon_min = 10 | lon_dir = E

}}

{{Location map~|Sweden

| label = {{nowrap|Boden Art. Rgt.}}

| position = right

| background = white

| mark = Yellow pog.svg

| marksize = 8

| lat_deg = 65 | lat_min = 49 | lat_dir = N

| lon_deg = 21 | lon_min = 46 | lon_dir = E

}}

{{Location map~|Sweden

| label = {{nowrap|Bergslagen Art. Rgt.}}

| position = left

| background = white

| mark = Yellow pog.svg

| marksize = 8

| lat_deg = 59 | lat_min = 18 | lat_dir = N

| lon_deg = 14 | lon_min = 07 | lon_dir = E

}}

{{Location map~|Sweden

| label = {{nowrap|Skaraborg Rgt.
Göta Logistic Rgt.}}

| position = left

| background = white

| mark = Pink pog.svg

| marksize = 8

| lat_deg = 58 | lat_min = 23 | lat_dir = N

| lon_deg = 13 | lon_min = 49 | lon_dir = E

}}

{{Location map~|Sweden

| label = {{nowrap|South Scanian Rgt.}}

| position = right

| background = white

| mark = Pink pog.svg

| marksize = 8

| lat_deg = 55 | lat_min = 44 | lat_dir = N

| lon_deg = 13 | lon_min = 28 | lon_dir = E

}}

{{Location map~|Sweden

| label = {{nowrap|Air Defence Rgt.}}

| position = right

| background = white

| mark = Purple 8000ff pog.svg

| marksize = 8

| lat_deg = 56 | lat_min = 40 | lat_dir = N

| lon_deg = 12 | lon_min = 51 | lon_dir = E

}}

{{Location map~|Sweden

| label = {{nowrap|Life Guards}}

| position = right

| background = white

| mark = Red pog.svg

| marksize = 8

| lat_deg = 59 | lat_min = 29 | lat_dir = N

| lon_deg = 17 | lon_min = 45 | lon_dir = E

}}

{{Location map~|Sweden

| label = {{nowrap|Göta Engineer Rgt.}}

| position = left

| background = white

| mark = Black pog.svg

| marksize = 8

| lat_deg = 57 | lat_min = 40 | lat_dir = N

| lon_deg = 14 | lon_min = 58 | lon_dir = E

}}

{{Location map~|Sweden

| label = {{nowrap|Life Rgt. Hussars}}

| position = right

| background = white

| mark = Orange pog.svg

| marksize = 8

| lat_deg = 58 | lat_min = 32 | lat_dir = N

| lon_deg = 14 | lon_min = 31 | lon_dir = E

}}

{{Location map~|Sweden

| label = {{nowrap|1st Marine Rgt.}}

| position = left

| background = white

| mark = Blue pog.svg

| marksize = 8

| lat_deg = 58 | lat_min = 59 | lat_dir = N

| lon_deg = 18 | lon_min = 03 | lon_dir = E

}}

{{Location map~|Sweden

| label = {{nowrap|Muskö Naval Base}}

| position = right

| background = white

| mark = Blue 000080 pog.svg

| marksize = 8

| lat_deg = 58 | lat_min = 59 | lat_dir = N

| lon_deg = 18 | lon_min = 11 | lon_dir = E

}}

{{Location map~|Sweden

| label = {{nowrap|Karlskrona Naval Base}}

| position = right

| background = white

| mark = Blue 000080 pog.svg

| marksize = 8

| lat_deg = 56 | lat_min = 09 | lat_dir = N

| lon_deg = 15 | lon_min = 35 | lon_dir = E

}}

{{Location map~|Sweden

| label = {{nowrap|Uppland Wing}}

| position = right

| background = white

| mark = Blue 0080ff pog.svg

| marksize = 8

| lat_deg = 59 | lat_min = 53 | lat_dir = N

| lon_deg = 17 | lon_min = 36 | lon_dir = E

}}

{{Location map~|Sweden

| label = {{nowrap|Skaraborg Wing}}

| position = left

| background = white

| mark = Blue 0080ff pog.svg

| marksize = 8

| lat_deg = 58 | lat_min = 43 | lat_dir = N

| lon_deg = 12 | lon_min = 72 | lon_dir = E

}}

{{Location map~|Sweden

| label = {{nowrap|Blekinge Wing
3 Helicopter}}

| position = left

| background = white

| mark = Blue 0080ff pog.svg

| marksize = 8

| lat_deg = 56 | lat_min = 14 | lat_dir = N

| lon_deg = 15 | lon_min = 17 | lon_dir = E

}}

{{Location map~|Sweden

| label = {{nowrap|Norrbotten Wing
1 Helicopter}}

| position = right

| background = white

| mark = Blue 0080ff pog.svg

| marksize = 8

| lat_deg = 65 | lat_min = 31 | lat_dir = N

| lon_deg = 22 | lon_min = 03 | lon_dir = E

}}

{{Location map~|Sweden

| label = {{nowrap|2 Helicopter}}

| position = right

| background = white

| mark = Blue 0080ff pog.svg

| marksize = 8

| lat_deg = 58 | lat_min = 23 | lat_dir = N

| lon_deg = 15 | lon_min = 31 | lon_dir = E

}}

{{Location map~|Sweden

| label =

| position = right

| background = white

| mark = Brown 804000 pog.svg

| marksize = 8

| lat_deg = 58 | lat_min = 23 | lat_dir = N

| lon_deg = 13 | lon_min = 55 | lon_dir = E

}}

{{Location map~|Sweden

| label = {{nowrap|Command & Control Rgt.}}

| position = left

| background = white

| mark = Gold pog.svg

| marksize = 8

| lat_deg = 59 | lat_min = 38 | lat_dir = N

| lon_deg = 17 | lon_min = 04 | lon_dir = E

}}

{{Location map~|Sweden

| label = {{nowrap|CBRN Def. Centre}}

| position = left

| background = white

| mark = Purple pog.svg

| marksize = 8

| lat_deg = 63 | lat_min = 49 | lat_dir = N

| lon_deg = 20 | lon_min = 16 | lon_dir = E

}}

{{Location map~|Sweden

| label = {{nowrap|Gotland Rgt.}}

| position = right

| background = white

| mark = Pink pog.svg

| marksize = 8

| lat_deg = 57 | lat_min = 38 | lat_dir = N

| lon_deg = 18 | lon_min = 18 | lon_dir = E

}}

}}

File:1025448 A Swedish JAS-39 Gripen returns to the play areas of the Arctic Challenge exercise Sept. 24, 2013.jpg.]]

File:NH90.jpg of the Swedish Armed Forces]]

File:K32 HMS Helsingborg Anchored-of-Gotska-Sandoen cropped.jpg.]]File:Swedish CV9040.JPG CV 90 produced and used by Sweden.]]The Chief of Defence, formerly the Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces ({{langx|sv|Överbefälhavaren}}, ÖB), is a four-star general or flag officer who is the agency head of the Swedish Armed Forces and the highest ranking professional officer on active duty. The Chief of Defence reports, normally through the Minister of Defence, to the Government of Sweden, which in turn answers to the Riksdag. The current chief of defence is General Michael Claesson.{{cite web |url=https://www.defensenews.com/interviews/2021/12/27/swedens-top-general-on-watching-russia-and-responding-to-an-invasion-of-ukraine/ |title=Sweden's top general on watching Russia and responding to an invasion of Ukraine |first=Joe |last=Gould |date=27 December 2021 |website=Defense News}}

Before the enactment of the 1974 Instrument of Government, the King of Sweden was the de jure commander in chief ({{langx|sv|högste befälhavare}}). Since then, King Carl XVI Gustaf is still considered to hold the honorary ranks of general and admiral à la suite, but the role is entirely ceremonial.{{cite web |url=http://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/monarchy/themonarchyinsweden/dutiesofthemonarch.4.396160511584257f2180003302.html |title=Duties of the Monarch |website=Royal Court of Sweden |access-date=19 March 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316041821/http://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/monarchy/themonarchyinsweden/dutiesofthemonarch.4.396160511584257f2180003302.html |archive-date=16 March 2015}}

The Swedish Armed Forces consists of three service branches; the Army, the Air Force and the Navy, with addition of the military reserve force Home Guard. Since 1994, the first three service branches are organized within a single unified government agency, headed by the Chief of Defence, while the Home Guard reports directly to the chief. However, the services maintain their separate identities through the use of different uniforms, ranks, and other service specific traditions.

The Swedish Armed Forces Headquarters is the highest level of command in the Swedish Armed Forces.{{cite web |url=http://www.mil.se/templates/Mil_UnitStartpage.aspx?id=10130&epslanguage=EN |title=Armed Forces Headquarters (HKV) |date=1 December 2008 |website=Swedish Armed Forces |access-date=5 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728161758/https://www.forsvarsmakten.se/sv/ |archive-date=28 July 2020}} It is led by the Chief of Defence (formerly the Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces) with a civilian director-general as his deputy, with functional directorates having different responsibilities (e.g. the Military Intelligence and Security Service). Overall, the Armed Forces Headquarters has about 2,100 employees, including civilian personnel.{{cite web |url=http://www.mil.se/templates/Mil_UnitStartpage.aspx?id=7212&epslanguage=SV |title=Högkvarteret (HKV) |trans-title=Headquarters |language=sv |website=Swedish Armed Forces |access-date=3 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202042943/http://www.mil.se/sv/I-Sverige/Hogkvarteret-HKV/ |archive-date=2009-02-02}}{{cite web |url=http://www.mil.se/upload/Forband/HKV/hkv-org.pdf |title=Högkvarterets organisation |language=sv |website=Swedish Armed Forces |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220141900/http://www.forsvarsmakten.se/upload/Forband/HKV/hkv-org.pdf |archive-date=2012-02-20}}

Some of the schools listed below answer to other units, listed under the various branches of the Armed Forces:

• Artillery Combat School (ArtSS) located in Boden
• Armed Forces Technical School (FMTS) located in Halmstad
• Air Warfare Centre (LSS) located in Uppsala
• Armed Forces Interpreter/Interrogator School (TolkS) located in Uppsala
• Swedish Defence University (FHS) located in Stockholm
• Field Work School (FarbS) located in Eksjö
• Air Force Air Officer School (FBS) located in Uppsala
• Swedish Parachute Ranger School (FJS) located in Karlsborg
• Flight School (FlygS) located in Linköping/Malmen
• Helicopter Combat School (HkpSS) located in Linköping/Malmen
• National Home Guard Combat School (HvSS) located in Södertälje
• Command School (LedS) located in Enköping
• Anti-Aircraft Combat School (LvSS) located in Halmstad
• Military Academy Halmstad (MHS H) located in Halmstad
• Military Academy Karlberg (MHS K) located in Stockholm/Karlberg
• Land Warfare Centre (MSS) located in Skövde also a detachment in Kvarn{{Cite web |url=http://www2.mil.se/en/About-the-Armed-Forces/Organisation/Address-list/ |title=Address list |date=1 October 2007 |website=Swedish Armed Forces |access-date=28 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410072412/http://www2.mil.se/en/About-the-Armed-Forces/Organisation/Address-list/ |archive-date=10 April 2008}}
• Swedish Naval Warfare Centre (SSS) located in Karlskrona and Stockholm/Berga{{cite web |url=http://www.forsvarsmakten.se/en/about/career-in-the-swedish-armed-forces/training-centres/ |title=Training Centres |website=Swedish Armed Forces |access-date=25 February 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150320003559/http://www.forsvarsmakten.se/en/about/career-in-the-swedish-armed-forces/training-centres/ |archive-date=20 March 2015}}

• 20px Swedish Armed Forces Centre for Defence Medicine (FömedC) located in Gothenburg, with a section in Linköping
• 20pxSwedish Armed Forces Logistics (FMLOG) located in Stockholm, Boden, Karlskrona and Arboga
• Armed Forces Intelligence and Security Centre (FMUndSäkC) located in Uppsala
• Armed Forces Musical Centre (FöMusC) located in Stockholm/Kungsängen
• Recruitment Centre (RekryC) located in Stockholm
• 20px National CBRN Defence Centre (SkyddC) located in Umeå
• Swedish EOD and Demining Centre (SWEDEC) located in Eksjö
• Swedish Armed Forces International Center (Swedint) located in Stockholm/Kungsängen

The Nordic Battlegroup is a cooperative formation of the Swedish Armed Forces alongside mainly the other Nordic countries but also some of the Baltic countries as well as Ireland, tasked as one of the EU Battlegroups. The headquarter garrison for this group is currently situated in Enköping, Sweden.

Sweden is part of the multinational Kosovo Force and has a naval force deployed to the gulf of Aden as a part of Operation Atalanta. Military observers from Sweden have been sent to a large number of countries, including Georgia, Lebanon, Israel and Sri Lanka and Sweden also participates with staff officers to missions in Sudan and Chad. Sweden has been one of the Peacekeeping nations of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission that is tasked with overseeing the truce in the Korean Demilitarized Zone since the Korean war ended in 1953.{{cite web |url=http://www.forsvarsmakten.se/en/about/our-mission-in-sweden-and-abroad/current-missions/korea-nnsc/ |title=Korea – NNSC |website=Swedish Armed Forces |access-date=25 February 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406032909/http://www.forsvarsmakten.se/en/about/our-mission-in-sweden-and-abroad/current-missions/korea-nnsc/ |archive-date=6 April 2016}}

Swedish air and ground forces saw combat during the Congo Crisis, as part of the United Nations Operation in the Congo force. Nine army battalions were sent in all, and their mission lasted from 1960 to 1964.

A battalion and other units were deployed with the NATO-led peacekeeping SFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina (1996–2000), following the Bosnian War. NORDBAT 2 has been studied as an example of mission command on a chaotic battlefield with conflicting national orders.

Sweden had military forces deployed in Afghanistan with the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (2002–2014), and the subsequent Resolute Support Mission (2015–2021), which ended when all NATO troops were withdrawn after 20 years of action.

In mid-1995, with the national service system based on universal military training, the Swedish Army consisted of 15 maneuver brigades and, in addition, 100 battalions of various sorts (artillery, engineers, rangers, air defence, amphibious, security, surveillance etc.) with a mobilization-time of between one and two days. When national service was replaced by a selective service system, fewer and fewer young men were drafted due to the reduction in size of the armed forces. By 2010 the Swedish Army had two battalions that could be mobilized within 90 days. When the volunteer system had been fully implemented by 2019, the army consisted of 7 maneuver battalions and 14 battalions of various sorts with a readiness of one week. The Home Guard was reduced in size to 22,000 soldiers.{{cite journal |last=Ivarsson |first=Ulf |title=Pendeln måste slå tillbaka |trans-title=The pendulum must swing back |language=sv |journal=Hemvärnet |page=5 |issue=1 |date=February 2007}} In 2019 the Swedish Armed Forces, now with a restored national service system combined with volunteer forces, aimed to reach 3 brigades as maneuver units by 2025.{{Cite news |url=https://www.dn.se/nyheter/politik/forsvarsberedningen-foreslar-fyra-nya-regementen-och-utokad-verksamhet-pa-flera-platser/ |title=Försvarsberedningen föreslår fyra nya regementen och utökad verksamhet på flera platser |trans-title=The Defence Committee proposes four new regiments and expanded operations in several places |language=sv |date=14 May 2019 |newspaper=Dagens Nyheter |access-date=14 May 2019}}

{{Clear}}

After having ended the universal male conscription system in 2010, as well as deactivating conscription in peacetime, the conscription system was re-activated in 2017. Since 2018 both women and men are conscripted on equal terms.{{Cite journal |last1=Persson |first1=Alma |last2=Sundevall |first2=Fia |date=17 December 2019 |title=Conscripting women: gender, soldiering, and military service in Sweden 1965–2018 |journal=Women's History Review |volume=28 |issue=7 |pages=1039–1056 |doi=10.1080/09612025.2019.1596542 |issn=0961-2025 |doi-access=free}} The motivation behind reactivating conscription was the need for personnel, as volunteer numbers proved to be insufficient to maintain the armed forces.{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-sweden-military/sweden-returns-draft-amid-security-worries-and-soldier-shortage-idUSKBN1690ND |title=Sweden returns draft amid security worries and soldier shortage |first1=Daniel |last1=Dickson |first2=Bjorn |last2=Rundstrom |name-list-style=amp |date=2 March 2017 |website=Reuters}}

The Swedish defence forces are currently educating 5,000-6,000 conscripts per year.{{cite news | url=https://www.fokus.se/aktuellt/peter-hultqvist-s-oka-antalet-varnpliktiga-fran-5-000-till-8-000/ | title=Peter Hultqvist (S): Öka antalet värnpliktiga från 5 000 till 8 000 | newspaper=Fokus | date=13 January 2020 }} However, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the defence forces stated that there is a need for significantly more than the current.{{cite web | url=https://www.tv4.se/artikel/6OHMDde5ivjXG7FDgrfiR/befael-inom-foersvaret-vi-behoever-fler-vaernpliktiga | title=TV4.se | date=12 March 2022 }} By December 2022, it was announced to increase the yearly conscripted to 10,000 by the end of 2035.{{cite news | url=https://www.svt.se/nyheter/snabbkollen/mal-10-000-varnpliktiga-fore-2035 | title=Mål: 10 000 värnpliktiga före 2036 | newspaper=SVT Nyheter | date=23 December 2022 }} In addition, figures from 2022 show that 79% of Swedes support in some form, an increase in the number of people who are conscripted. 47% of the respondents said that the majority of 19/20 year-olds should perform conscription.{{cite web | url=https://www.tv4.se/artikel/3r6iEcGocIDUSsJTn1FOUm/sifo-en-majoritet-av-svenskarna-vill-att-fler-goer-vaernplikten | title=TV4.se | date=17 March 2022 }}

File:Swedish pvt and CV90-40C in California.jpg, 2007.]]

Military personnel of the Swedish Armed Forces consists of:

• Officer OFF/K – Regular continuously serving officers (OF1-OF9).
• Officer OFF/T – Reserve part-time officers (OF1-OF3).
• Specialistofficer SO/K – Regular continuously serving NCO (OR6-OR9).
• Specialistofficer SO/T – Reserve part-time serving NCO (OR6-OR7).
• GSS/K – Regular continuously serving enlisted (OR1-OR5).
• GSS/T – Reserve part-time serving enlisted (OR1-OR5).
• GSS/P – Personnel in wartime placement (OR1-OR5).

K = Continuously

T = Part-time

File:Holstebro Øvelsesplads 2106 160523-A-RJ696-059 (26790201094).jpg, 2016.]]

P = Conscript, for personnel drafted under the Swedish law of comprehensive defence duty

File:Svenska-försvaret-1965-2010.gifAnnual recruitment of GSS is assumed to be about 4,000 persons.{{cite report |url=https://kkrva.se/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/FOI-Frivilliga-soldater.pdf |title=Frivilliga soldater istället för plikt – internationella erfarenheter och ekonomiska konsekvenser |trans-title=From conscription to an all-volunteer force – international experiences and economic consequences |language=sv |first1=Ulf |last1=Jonsson |first2=Peter |last2=Nordlund |date=November 2012 |publisher=The Swedish Defence Research Agency |via=Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences}}

In 2008, professor Mats Alvesson of the University of Lund and Karl Ydén of the University of Gothenburg claimed in an op-ed, based on Ydén's doctoral dissertation, that a large part of the officer corps of the Swedish Armed Forces was preoccupied with administrative tasks instead of training soldiers or partaking in international operations. They claimed that Swedish officers were mainly focused on climbing the ranks and thereby increasing their wages and that the main way of doing this is to take more training courses, which decreases the number of officers that are specialized in their field. Therefore, the authors claimed, the Swedish Armed Forces were poorly prepared for their mission.{{cite news |url=https://www.dn.se/debatt/karriarstyrda-officerare-skapar-inkompetent-forsvar/ |title=Karriärstyrda officerare skapar inkompetent försvar |trans-title=Career-driven officers create an incompetent defence |language=sv |date=6 November 2008 |newspaper=Dagens Nyheter |access-date=28 March 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114190543/http://www.dn.se/debatt/karriarstyrda-officerare-skapar-inkompetent-forsvar |archive-date=14 November 2012}} Major changes have been made to the officer system since then.{{citation needed|date=June 2019}}

The transformation of the old invasion defence-oriented armed forces to the new smaller and more mobile force has also been criticized. According to the Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces the present defence budget will not be enough to implement the new defence structure by 2019. And that even when finished the armed forces will only be able to fight for a week at most.{{cite news |url=http://www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/forsvar-med-tidsgrans_7789308.svd |title=Försvar med tidsgräns |trans-title=Defence with a time limit |language=sv |first=Mikael |last=Holmström |date=2012-12-30 |newspaper=Svenska Dagbladet |access-date=25 February 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150323232126/http://www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/forsvar-med-tidsgrans_7789308.svd |archive-date=23 March 2015}}

During 2013 several Russian Air Force exercises over the Baltic Sea aimed at Swedish military targets have made

the future of the Swedish Armed Forces a hot topic and several political parties now want to increase defence funding.{{cite news |url=http://www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/ryska-bombflyg-ovade-mot-sverige_8698898.svd |title=Ryska bombflyg övade mot Sverige |trans-title=Russian bombers practiced against Sweden |language=sv |date=2013-11-06 |agency=TT |newspaper=Svenska Dagbladet |access-date=25 February 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415032441/http://www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/ryska-bombflyg-ovade-mot-sverige_8698898.svd |archive-date=15 April 2015}}{{cite news |url=http://www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/ryskt-flyg-ovade-anfall-mot-sverige_8108894.svd |title=Ryskt flyg övade anfall mot Sverige |trans-title=Russian aircraft practiced attacks on Sweden |language=sv |first=Mikael |last=Holmström |date=2013-04-22 |newspaper=Svenska Dagbladet |access-date=25 February 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150323232149/http://www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/ryskt-flyg-ovade-anfall-mot-sverige_8108894.svd |archive-date=23 March 2015}}{{cite news |url=http://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/article17628436.ab |title=Majoritet vill rusta militärt mot Ryssland |trans-title=Majority wants to equip military against Russia |language=sv |first=Nivette |last=Dawod |date=10 October 2013 |newspaper=Aftonbladet |access-date=25 February 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225044425/http://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/article17628436.ab |archive-date=25 February 2015}} In August 2019, the government announced a bank tax to fund the military spending.{{cite web |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20190901-sweden-tax-banks-finance-military-spendings |title=Sweden announces bank tax to finance military spending |date=1 September 2019 |website=France 24 |access-date=1 September 2019}}

File:Lieutenant_General_Michael_Claesson,_Chief_of_the_Defense_Staff,_Armed_Forces_of_Sweden,_at_the_Pentagon,_Washington,_D.C.,January_22,_2024_(cropped).jpg, the Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces.]]

{{Main|Military ranks of the Swedish Armed Forces}}

When an army based on national service (conscription) was introduced in 1901 all commissioned officers had ranks that were senior of the warrant officers (underofficerare) and non-commissioned officers (underbefäl). In a reform 1926 the relative rank of the then senior warrant officer, fanjunkare, was increased to be equal with the junior officer rank underlöjtnant and above the most junior officer rank fänrik. In 1960 the relative rank of the warrant officers were elevated further so that

• i. The lowest warrant officer, sergeant, had relative rank just below the lowest officer rank, fänrik.
• ii. The second warrant officer rank, fanjunkare, had relative rank between fänrik and löjtnant
• iii. The highest warrant officer rank, förvaltare, had relative rank between first lieutenant and captain.

In 1972 the personnel structure changed, reflecting increased responsibilities of warrant and non-commissioned officers, renaming the underofficerare as kompaniofficerare, giving them the same ranks as company grade officers (fänrik, löjtnant, kapten). Underbefäl was renamed plutonsofficerare and given the rank titles of sergeant and fanjunkare, although their relative rank were now placed below fänrik. The commissioned officers were renamed regementsofficerare, beginning with löjtnant. The three-track career system was maintained, as well as three separate messes.

A major change in the personnel structure in 1983 (NBO 1983), merged the three professional corps of platoon officers, company officers, and regimental officers into a one-track career system within a single corps called professional officers (yrkesofficerare). The three messes were also merged to one.

In 2008 the Riksdag decided to create a two-track career system with a category called specialistofficerare. When implementing the parliamentary resolution the Supreme Commander decided that some ranks in this category should, like the old underofficerare ranks in 1960–1972, have a relative rank higher than the most junior officers.

The Swedish government has decided to increase the military budget to 2.6 percent of GDP by 2028. Furthermore, by 2030, they plan to increase the number of conscripts to 10,000 and to have a standing force of four brigades. In 2027, the budget for military research will increase by 50% to 1.6 billion SEK. By 2030, the number of employees is expected to increase to 115,000, and to 130,000 by 2035.{{Cite web|url=https://www.regeringen.se/pressmeddelanden/2024/10/nytt-totalforsvarsbeslut-for-ett-starkare-sverige2/|title=Nytt totalförsvarsbeslut för ett starkare Sverige|first=Regeringen och|last=Regeringskansliet|date=15 October 2024|website=Regeringskansliet}}{{Cite web|url=https://forsvarssektorn.se/article/regeringen-presenterar-ny-totalfoersvarsproposition/|title=Regeringen presenterar ny totalförsvarsproposition|website=Försvarssektorn}}

Planned military budget{{Cite web|url=https://www.regeringen.se/regeringens-politik/forsvarsbudget/|title=Försvarsbudget|first=Regeringen och|last=Regeringskansliet|date=2 May 2024|website=Regeringskansliet}}

Sweden has also put an order on 44 Leopard 2 tanks and will renovate 66 of the ones they have in their current arsenal (for 22 billion SEK). Alongside these renovations, they will also modernise their Combat Vehicle 90 vehicles (until 2030). Furthermore, the armed forces have placed an order for 575 trucks from Scania and Volvo. They will cost approximately 1.4 billion SEK and are expected to be delivered between 2025 and 2026. An effort to modernize the army's firearms was made in 2023 by purchasing a large quantity of weapons in collaboration with Finland from the Finnish manufacturer Sako. The weapons will be delivered during a 10 year period.

{{Cite web|url=https://www.forsvarsmakten.se/sv/aktuellt/2023/03/nya-eldhandvapen-pa-gang/|title=Nya eldhandvapen på gång - Försvarsmakten}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.regeringen.se/pressmeddelanden/2025/01/nya-stridsvagnar-och-renoverade-stridsfordon-lyfter-svenska-forsvarets-formaga/|title=Nya stridsvagnar och renoverade stridsfordon lyfter svenska försvarets förmåga|first=Regeringen och|last=Regeringskansliet|date=9 January 2025|website=Regeringskansliet}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.fmv.se/aktuellt--press/aktuella-handelser/fmv-bestaller-lastbilar-till-forsvarsmakten/|title=FMV beställer lastbilar till Försvarsmakten|website=www.fmv.se}}

The Swedish Navy has placed an order for two new working ships from Astilleros Armon Vigo SA. They are expected to be delivered between 2027 and 2028 and are intended to replace HMS Pelikanen and HMS Furusund. The Swedish fleet of Stridsbåt 90s will also be strengthened, with 10 units ordered from Saab in 2024 for approximately 400 million SEK.{{Cite web|url=https://www.skippo.se/nyheter/forsvarsmakten-bestaller-10-stycken-stridsbat-90|title=Försvarsmakten beställer 10 stycken Stridsbåt 90|website=www.skippo.se}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.fmv.se/aktuellt--press/aktuella-handelser/fmv-tecknar-kontrakt-pa-nya-arbetsfartyg-till-forsvarsmakten/|title=FMV tecknar kontrakt på nya arbetsfartyg till Försvarsmakten|website=www.fmv.se}}

The Swedish Armed Forces are led by the Supreme Commander (currently General Micael Bydén), who reports to the Government, specifically through the Minister of Defence (Pål Jonson as of late 2024). The headquarters are located in Stockholm.³ The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) plays a crucial role in procuring equipment and services, ensuring the armed forces are well-equipped to execute their missions.⁴

As of 2024, the Army is reorganizing and raising new units, including a 1st Division, which incorporates brigades like the Life Guards Brigade and the Skaraborg Brigade.⁵ Specialized units such as the Life Regiment Hussars (K 3) and Norrland Dragoon Regiment (K 4) provide ranger and intelligence capabilities, particularly vital for operations in Sweden's diverse terrain, including the subarctic north.⁶ The Navy continues to operate surface combatants, submarines, and amphibious units, while the Air Force maintains its fleet of advanced fighter jets and support aircraft. The Home Guard (Hemvärnet) serves as a vital territorial defense force, composed of part-time personnel and reservists.⁷

In response to the changed security climate, Sweden has significantly boosted its personnel numbers and re-emphasized conscription.⁸ As of 2024, Sweden maintains approximately 88,000 personnel, including active-duty members, conscripts, and reserves. There are ambitious plans to further increase the armed forces to approximately 115,000 personnel by 2030, with a long-term goal of 130,000 by 2035.⁹

Conscription, which was reinstated, plays a key role in this expansion. In 2023, 6,300 conscripts underwent military training annually, a number set to increase to 8,000 by 2025 and 10,000 by 2030.¹⁰ This ensures a steady stream of trained personnel to bolster both active units and the reserves.

Sweden's commitment to defense is evident in its significantly increased military expenditure.¹¹ In 2024, the defense budget was projected to be around $12.0 billion USD, marking a 34% increase from 2023. This pushed Sweden's military burden to 2.0% of GDP, aligning with and even exceeding the NATO target in its first year of membership. The government has pledged to further raise defense expenditure to 2.6% of GDP by 2028, representing a substantial investment in military capabilities.¹² This includes a loan-financed investment of approximately 300 billion SEK (€27 billion) by 2030, a historical military rearmament plan since the Cold War era.¹³

This increased funding is driving comprehensive modernization programs across all branches of the armed forces:

• Army: A major focus is on upgrading and expanding the tank fleet. Sweden is acquiring 44 new German-made Leopard 2A8 tanks (designated Stridsvagn 123B)¹⁴ and modernizing 66 of its existing Stridsvagn 122 tanks (equivalent to Leopard 2A5) to the Stridsvagn 123A standard.¹⁵ These upgrades, worth almost 20 billion SEK (approximately $1.8 billion), include replacing electronic components, installing new L55 guns with programmable ammunition capabilities, enhanced night sights, and updated night vision for drivers.¹⁶ The modernized tanks are expected to be delivered between 2026 and 2030, with new tanks arriving from 2028 to 2031. Once completed, Sweden will possess 154 modern main battle tanks.¹⁷ Additionally, the fleet of Combat Vehicle 90 (CV90) tracked armored fighting vehicles is undergoing a modernization valued at over 5 billion SEK, to be completed by 2030. The army is also acquiring 575 new trucks from Scania and Volvo, with deliveries expected between 2025 and 2026, and has initiated a 10-year program in collaboration with Finland to modernize its firearms. Two new mechanized brigades for subarctic warfare are also under development in the northern parts of the country, aiming to be operational by 2028.¹⁸
• Navy: The Swedish Navy has placed orders for two new working ships from Astilleros Armon Vigo SA, expected for delivery between 2027 and 2028, to replace older vessels. Furthermore, the fleet of Stridsbåt 90 combat boats will be reinforced with 10 new units ordered from Saab in 2024.¹⁹ Modernization efforts also include upgrading the five Visby-class corvettes with new air defense systems, and the acquisition of three larger Luleå-class corvettes.²⁰ In early 2025, HSwMS Ulvön became the first Swedish mine countermeasure vessel to join NATO's standing naval force.
• Air Force: The Air Force is set to receive a third GlobalEye surveillance aircraft and 12 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, adding to its existing fleet of 15.²¹ The JAS 39 Gripen remains the backbone of the fighter fleet, with ongoing mid-term modifications of existing aircraft.
• Hybrid Threats and Cyber Defense: Recognizing the evolving nature of warfare, Sweden is investing an additional SEK 96 million (€8.86 million) in 2025 to strengthen its capabilities against hybrid threats. This includes empowering agencies like the Swedish Coast Guard, the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency, and the Psychological Defence Agency to counter hybrid threats in various domains, including maritime and cyber.²² Sweden actively participates in international cybersecurity exercises like Locked Shields, hosted by the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre.²³

Sweden's formal accession to NATO in March 2024 marked a historic shift in its security policy, ending two centuries of non-alignment.²⁴ This membership fundamentally alters Sweden's role in European defense and its approach to international cooperation.

• Collective Defense: As a NATO member, Sweden is now included in the collective defense guarantees under Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty. This means an attack on one member is considered an attack on all. Sweden is also obligated to contribute military and civilian resources to the collective defense effort.²⁵
• Enhanced Military Cooperation: Sweden's military is already largely aligned with NATO at a tactical level, and membership facilitates greater strategic integration.²⁶ Sweden now participates in NATO's decision-making processes and assumes a larger role in the alliance's presence around Northern Europe.²⁷ This includes participating in larger and more complex joint military exercises, such as the NATO Military Committee's visit to Sweden in March 2025 to understand the country's operational environment and capabilities.²⁸
• Bilateral and Regional Ties: Sweden has strengthened bilateral defense cooperation agreements with countries like Lithuania and Poland.²⁹ It has also joined 16 other EU member states in a letter of intent with the European Defence Agency to develop integrated air and missile defense capabilities.³⁰ The formation of the Joint Nordic Air Command, bringing together the front-line combat aircraft of Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark under a unified command structure, exemplifies enhanced regional cooperation.³¹
• Support for Ukraine: Sweden has significantly increased its military support for Ukraine, committing SEK 40 billion (€3.69 billion) in 2025, an increase of SEK 15 billion. Swedish instructors from the Home Guard and the Army have been training Ukrainian soldiers as part of the UK-led Operation Interflex since 2022.³²
• International Missions: While increasingly focused on national and collective defense, the Swedish Armed Forces continue to contribute to various international peace support operations led by the UN and other multinational bodies.³³ Historically, units have participated in missions in Afghanistan (Resolute Support Mission) and Kosovo (Kosovo Force). The Swedish Armed Forces are currently serving in eight countries, primarily focusing on peacekeeping and support roles.³⁴

Sweden maintains its "total defense" concept, which considers national infrastructure—including internet, telephony, energy, and secure supplies of food and medicine—as part of a comprehensive defense system.³⁵ This holistic approach, which aligns with NATO guidelines for resilient societies, means that civil preparedness is a vital component of Sweden's overall defense structure.³⁶ Every citizen between the ages of 16 and 70 may be called upon to aid society in various ways during a crisis or war, even if not directly involved in military service.³⁷ The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) plays a key role in developing Sweden's civil defense and crisis preparedness, working closely with the Armed Forces and integrating civil preparedness efforts with NATO.³⁸

The Swedish Armed Forces are undergoing a profound transformation, adapting to a more challenging security environment and embracing their role as a full member of NATO.³⁹ With increased investment, personnel expansion, and advanced equipment acquisitions, Sweden is rapidly bolstering its military capabilities to ensure national security and contribute effectively to collective defense.⁴⁰

{{main|Government agencies in Sweden}}

• Swedish Defence Materiel Administration, or Försvarets materielverk (FMV)
• Swedish National Service Administration, or Plikt- och prövningsverket
• Swedish Defence University, or Försvarshögskolan
• Swedish National Defence Radio Establishment, or Försvarets radioanstalt (FRA)
• Swedish Defence Research Agency, or Totalförsvarets forskningsinstitut (FOI)
• Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency, or Myndigheten för samhällsskydd och beredskap

• Home Guard
• Swedish Women's Voluntary Defence Organization ("Lottorna")

• Sweden–NATO relations
• Scandinavian defence union
• Origins of Swedish conscription system
• Swedish Fortifications Agency
• Swedish National Inspectorate of Strategic Products
• List of wars involving Sweden

{{Reflist}}

Manpower-numbers are taken from {{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/sweden/ |title=The World Factbook|date=21 June 2022 }}

• [1] Swedish Army - Wikipedia. (n.d.). Retrieved May 24, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swedish_Army
• [2] About FMV. (n.d.). Retrieved May 24, 2025, from https://www.fmv.se/english/about-fmv/
• [3] Sweden unveils historical military rearmament plan - The Barents Observer. (2025, March 27). Retrieved May 24, 2025, from https://www.thebarentsobserver.com/security/sweden-unveils-historical-military-rearmament-plan/427418
• [4] News - Swedish Armed Forces - Försvarsmakten. (n.d.). Retrieved May 24, 2025, from https://www.forsvarsmakten.se/en/news/
• [5] Unprecedented rise in global military expenditure as European and Middle East spending surges | SIPRI. (2025, April 28). Retrieved May 24, 2025, from https://www.sipri.org/media/press-release/2025/unprecedented-rise-global-military-expenditure-european-and-middle-east-spending-surges
• [6] Overview of the Swedish Armed Forces - Defense Advancement. (2024, December 27). Retrieved May 24, 2025, from https://www.defenseadvancement.com/resources/swedish-armed-forces/
• [7] Swedish Armed Forces - Wikipedia. (n.d.). Retrieved May 24, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swedish_Armed_Forces
• [8] Annual Report 2024 - Försvarsmakten. (2025, March 19). Retrieved May 24, 2025, from https://www.forsvarsmakten.se/contentassets/546bbe13064a4c739e1cbc4b5e4571f7/2024-must-annual-report.pdf
• [9] Sweden is 'no longer a country that cannot be trusted' - BBC. (2025, March 5). Retrieved May 24, 2025, from https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdjyxljyjxno
• [10] About NATO membership - MSB. (n.d.). Retrieved May 24, 2025, from https://www.msb.se/en/advice-for-individuals/swedish-defence/about-nato-membership/
• [11] Sweden Buys More Leopard 2 Tanks As Part Of Major Defense Build-Up - The War Zone.⁴¹ (2025, January 9). Retrieved May 24, 2025, from https://www.twz.com/land/sweden-buys-more-leopard-2-tanks-as-part-of-major-defense-build-up
• [12] Sweden to upgrade Stridsvagn 122 tanks due to the war in Ukraine - Militarnyi. (n.d.). Retrieved May 24, 2025, from https://militarnyi.com/en/news/sweden-to-upgrade-stridsvagn-122-tanks-due-to-the-war-in-ukraine/
• [13] Activities - Swedish Armed Forces - Försvarsmakten. (n.d.). Retrieved May 24, 2025, from https://www.forsvarsmakten.se/en/activities/
• [14] Utveckling med fokus på det civila försvaret med det väpnade angreppet som dimensionerande – MSB:s årsredovisning för 2024 är beslutad.⁴² (2025, February 28). Retrieved May 24, 2025, from https://www.msb.se/sv/aktuellt/nyheter/2025/februari/utveckling-med-fokus-pa-det-civila-forsvaret-med-det-vapnade-angreppet-som-dimensionerande--msbs-arsredovisning-for-2024-ar-beslutad/

{{Commons category}}

• {{Official website}}

{{Swedish Armed Forces}}

{{Ministry of Defence (Sweden)}}

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{{Military of Europe}}

{{Militaries of European Union member states}}

{{North Atlantic Treaty Organization}}

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Category:Defence agencies of Sweden

Armed Forces

Category:Permanent Structured Cooperation