Sweden and the United States deepens the partnership in cyber defense

Swedish Armed Forces and U.S European Command (USEUCOM) have signed a bilateral Letter of Intent (LOI) regarding a framework for an advanced cyber partnership. For Swedish Armed Forces the partnership creates value and offers multiple possibilities to increase capability development and enhance operational and strategic capability.

LOI signed
LOI signed
The LOI was signed by Chief of Directorate of Strategic Plans and Policy Major General Johan Pekkari and USEUCOM's Deputy Director of Plans and Operations Brigadier General James D. Cleet in Stockholm the 12th of April 2024. Photo: Andreas Karlsson/Swedish Armed Forces
Flaggor
The green flag of the cyber defence of the Swedish Armed Forces between the United States and Swedish flag. Photo: Andreas Karlsson/Swedish Armed Forces

The partnership is based on a common perception of how the two parties can enhance their cyber defense capability and is built upon five lines of effort; policy, interoperability, training, capability development and cyber operations.

A prioritized partner

The United States has been a prioritized bilateral partner for Sweden for many years and since March this year, also an ally. For Swedish Armed Forces the partnership creates value and offers multiple possibilities to increase capability development and enhance operational and strategic capability.

Cooperation to address advanced threats

The LOI was signed by Chief of Directorate of Strategic Plans and Policy Major General Johan Pekkari and USEUCOM's Deputy Director of Plans and Operations Brigadier General James D. Cleet in Stockholm the 12th of April 2024.

“International cooperation is a prerequisite to outpace the cyber threats of today” said Major General Johan Pekkari at the signing. “The bilateral partnership enables the parties to enhance their capability, both unilateral and bilateral.”

The agreement provides the right conditions

Underpinned by a strong set of shared values and a willingness to work together, the Swedish Armed Forces and U.S European Command relationship in cyberspace is expected to grow with speed and clarity of effort. This expansion is necessary to outpace advanced and persistent threats against military networks and critical infrastructure supporting the collective security of both nations.

“The European theater faces multiple, and increasingly aggressive, cyber adversaries” said U.S. Air Force Brigadier General James D. Cleet. "Along with our NATO partners, and Allies like Sweden, we must work together in order to resist and recover from attacks in the cyberspace domain. This cooperation is especially necessary to prevent adversaries from being able to degrade critical systems and networks we share and depend upon.”