Total defence

Total defence IN SWEDEN

The Swedish Armed Forces has a leading role in the development of a modern total defence. 

Our main task is to:

• defend Sweden and our allies against an armed attack
• promote Sweden's security
• safeguard Sweden's territorial integrity
• protect Sweden's sovereign rights and national interests
• prevent conflicts and wars both nationally and internationally

Total defence includes:

• authorities
• organizations
• private individuals
• companies.

This means that all inhabitants of Sweden are affected by total defence and are part of Sweden's defence.

Goal of total defence

The Swedish Parliament and Government have established an overarching goal for total defence:

"The overarching goal of total defence shall be to have the capability to defend Sweden and our allies against armed attack, and to safeguard our security, freedom, independence, and freedom of action. Activities within total defence shall be able to be conducted both independently and together with others, within and beyond the country."

This overarching goal is complemented by specific goals for the military and civil defence respectively.

The will to defend

The will to defend ultimately concerns the awareness that all of us who live in Sweden are part of this country, and that we must also be prepared to do our part to uphold democracy and freedom for ourselves and one another. To defend and preserve our form of government is both an obligation and an opportunity. We must seize that opportunity.

Direction for total defence 2025–2030

In December 2024, the Swedish Parliament and Government decided on a new direction for total defence, that is, both military and civil defence, for the period 2025–2030. The capability of total defence needs to be further strengthened.

Read more about the direction in detail.

The Strategic Environment Planning Assumptions for Swedish Total Defence. (pdf, 1 MB)

Armed attack is the defining scenario

Armed attack is the defining scenario for total defence. Total defence shall be able to respond to an armed attack:

• against Swedish land territory
• against Swedish sea territory
• against NATO's external borders

Sweden's integration into NATO

Sweden's integration into NATO is a multi-year process of transformation and Sweden is now: 

• integrating its operational planning with that of the Alliance
• adapting to a new threat environment

 The integration into NATO also requires Swedish authorities and society at large to:

• take measures
• carry out activities that create the conditions for, and enhance Sweden's ability to contribute to, NATO's core tasks

Defending Sweden

If Sweden is attacked, the Armed Forces, supported by the rest of total defence, shall defend Sweden in accordance with Article 3 in order to:

• gain time
• gain freedom of action
• ultimately ensure the nation's independence

Resistance shall be resolute and enduring. Through mutual support and cooperation between military and civil defence, the greatest possible defensive effect shall be achieved.

Readiness and mobilisation

In the event of the risk of war or war itself, society must be able to:

• quickly adapt to wartime conditions
• carry out a national effort
• mobilize the military and civil resources that benefit the defence efforts

Supply security

Therefore, the Armed Forces, in cooperation with relevant authorities and in dialogue with the business sector, shall develop supply security as a step to safeguard endurance.

Intelligence and hybrid threats

The ability to act on intelligence is an important part of the development of total defence, including the capacity to handle hybrid threats.
The broader threat landscape facing Sweden requires strengthened cooperation between security and intelligence services in order to ensure a good common situational awareness across the entire threat spectrum.

Defence intelligence

Defence intelligence activities are conducted by:

• the Armed Forces
• the National Defence Radio Establishment (FRA)
• the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV)
• the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI).

Civil intelligence

In addition, civil intelligence activities are carried out, primarily by the Swedish Security Service (Säpo).