Leading the Swedish Armed Forces
The leadership of the Swedish Armed Forces consists of the highest-ranking officials who coordinate activities and advise the Supreme Commander on matters of importance.
Photo: Klara Villebeck
The members of the Armed Forces’ leadership come from both military and civilian backgrounds. Together, they provide advice to the Supreme Commander on issues such as operational management, military strategy, and how the agency should develop in line with the mission set by the Parliament and the Government.
The leadership organisation of the Armed Forces
The agency’s highest-ranking official is the Supreme Commander, with the Director General as deputy. The Supreme Commander and the Director General are part of the Armed Forces leadership, which coordinates the operations of the Armed Forces.
The Supreme Commander
The Supreme Commander (ÖB) leads the activities of the Armed Forces both nationally and internationally, based on the decisions of the Parliament and the Government.
The Armed Forces carries out a wide range of tasks of varying character, such as conducting international operations, monitoring and protecting Sweden’s borders, and supporting society in crisis situations. Since October 1, 2024, Michael Claesson has been the Supreme Commander, and is therefore largely responsible both for the long-term planning of the Armed Forces and for making quick decisions along the way.
Michael Claesson’s military career began as a tank platoon officer cadet at I 19/P5 in Boden in 1984. In 1997, he studied at the Federal German Language School (Bundessprachenamt) in Hürth. Among other roles, he has served as military expert at the Ministry of Defence, military adviser at Sweden’s delegation to NATO in Brussels, and as unit and contingent commander with ISAF in Afghanistan.
Since 2022, he has served as Chief of the Defence Staff at the Headquarters.