New defence cooperation agreement between Sweden and the US

By: Translation by Johanna Toll | Swedish Armed Forces Headquarters – 8 December 2023 kl: 17.00

The new defence cooperation agreement between Sweden and the US means that the US military forces gains access to 17 Swedish military bases. This enables the prepositioned stocks of military equipment and to conduct operations on Swedish territory.

A US and a Swedish solider shaking hands
A US and a Swedish solider shaking hands
Photo: Antonia Sehlstedt/Swedish Armed Forces

The Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) reinforces and develops the defence cooperation between the two countries, according to Major General Johan Pekkari, Chief of the Swedish Armed Forces Strategy Command. But, he also stresses, that the agreement does not necessarily entail that there will be a US presence at all 17 locations.

“The agreement is designed to create opportunities and to have a high level of flexibility in the continued operational development process of defence cooperation. Together, we will analyse, in detail, the existing needs”.

The DCA was negotiated by the Ministry of Defence, with the support of the Swedish Armed Forces. Under the agreement, US personnel, both military and civilian staff, as well as families, are subject to US jurisdiction. The same applies to suppliers to the US military troops.

Major General Johan Pekkari is careful to point out that the agreement has not yet entered into force. First, it must be passed by the Swedish Parliament, which also must decide on the necessary changes to the Swedish constitution.