The Vision in Five Concepts
Threshold Effect
The threshold effect is at the core of a stronger defense, capable of meeting every threat and handling every challenge. The military threshold is meant to act as a deterrent, causing potential aggressors to carefully consider the risks of attacking our country.
By training frequently and extensively, especially in cooperation with others, we strengthen the threshold effect and give it credibility. For a threshold to be effective, it must be both credible and visible. Therefore, Sweden’s military defense must operate visibly, and its deterrent capability must be clear.
In combination with political, diplomatic, and economic means, the threshold should prevent and counteract any intent to attack Sweden, its integrity, and its interests. Violations of Swedish territory must be detected early and repelled.
The military threshold ultimately consists of our capability for armed combat, with wartime units possessing the right skills, high combat readiness, and high availability.
Availability
Wartime units must be staffed, equipped, and trained, and be able to organize at short notice to respond to an attack.
Our wartime units must receive the right training and sufficient, appropriate equipment. In addition, mobilization of larger units and joint exercises must be conducted regularly.
Availability means continuously maintaining the right capabilities in the fast-moving, complex, and unpredictable security environment we face. A fundamental factor for availability is that the Armed Forces attract, recruit, develop, and retain relevant competence.
Togetherness
Collaboration and cooperation with others—both internationally and nationally—enhance our overall ability to deter attacks.
Together with other countries’ armed forces and organizations, our wartime units conduct exercises and military operations in Sweden and abroad.
To strengthen Sweden’s overall defense capability, we also enhance national cooperation. We work with other authorities and civil society to protect and secure critical societal functions.
The Armed Forces should not only defend Sweden’s values but also reflect society. This means we are a modern, gender-equal, and inclusive organization. All branches, units, individual employees, and volunteers must work together, leveraging their unique skills to increase our overall capability and fulfill our mission.
Credibility
A credible defense is essential for implementing and asserting Sweden’s security policy. Acting credibly is a prerequisite for the Armed Forces to earn respect internationally and trust from its stakeholders, employees, and volunteers.
Sweden’s security policy ultimately aims to ensure the country’s independence and sovereignty. Having the capability to assert our nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is necessary for Sweden to safeguard its security.
A credible defense is built on maintaining a threshold with high availability and resilience. Credibility builds trust and, in the long run, ensures that expectations and results align. Both credibility and trust are strengthened when citizens’, international actors’, and our personnel’s expectations match our actual actions.
Growth
The wartime organization must grow with more operational units, thereby increasing endurance.
Tactics and combat techniques are continuously developed to further enhance our operational effectiveness.
Core Values and Code of Conduct
The Armed Forces’ core values describe our vision for how we act together to carry out our tasks responsibly, safely, and reliably, whether we are employees, volunteers, or serving under conscription. They set expectations for the organization, teams, and individuals. The Armed Forces operate in the most challenging circumstances, and the code of conduct guides how we are expected to behave as individuals to collectively achieve our mission.
Gender Equality and Equal Treatment
The Armed Forces work systematically and broadly to increase gender equality and equal treatment—both within the organization and in the planning and execution of military operations. This makes us a stronger organization and provides a more effective defense of Sweden.