The history of SWEDINT

Sweden has a long tradition in Peace Support Operations (PSO). Our contribution to the United Nations started as early as 1948 when Military Observers were sent to the Middle East. The first Swedish battalion under UN-flag was deployed in Gaza 1956.

In 1960 our UN involvement increased through the contribution of troops for the UN operation in the Congo. During the 1960s the Nordic countries agreed to coordinate their activities in the field of peacekeeping training. This cooperation is since 1997 referred to as the Nordic Co-ordinated Arrangement for Military Peace Support (NORDCAPS). During the same decade collaboration between the Swedish Armed Forces and the Swedish Police started in order to support education and training of Swedish UN police.

The foundations of SWEDINT were laid in 1961. The UN department of the Army Staff dealt with the planning, organisation, and execution of UN operations in which the Swedish government decided that Sweden should participate.
 
In 1984 all UN training was brought together at the Armed Forces UN School (FNS).  The UN department was merged with the Armed Forces UN School in 1991 following a decision by the Swedish parliament.


1993

The Armed Forces International Centre, SWEDINT, was established in Almnäs. The Centre was headed by the Inspector General of the Army.

1994

The responsibility for SWEDINT was transferred from the Army to the Swedish Armed Forces Headquarters.

1997

The Centre was designated as a command – the Swedish Armed Forces International Command.

1999

NATO/MCWG decided to give SWEDINT the status of a Partnership for Peace (PfP) Training Centre. Sweden joined the PfP programme in 1994, conducted the first PfP courses in 1996 and hosted its first exercise in 1997.

2000

The responsibility for police officers in PSO was transferred from SWEDINT to the Swedish National Criminal Police. The close cooperation between the Swedish Armed Forces and The Swedish Police was reinforced. 

2003

The tactical control of the Swedish Overseas Force was transferred from SWEDINT to the Army, Naval and Air Force Tactical Commands (ATK, MKT and FTK) respectively. The transfer was part of the development of the Swedish Armed Forces international efforts.

2004

The Life Guards became the new platform for international training. SWEDINT Training Centre was relocated to the Life Guards in Kungsängen.

2005

The Swedish Prison and Probation Service established a Peace Support Unit.

2007

SWEDINT, in association with the Swedish Prison and Probation Service, launched the United Nations Prison and Probation Officer Course (UNPriPOC) to enable correction personnel to function effectively in PSO.

2007

The UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (UN DPKO) recognised that the United Nations Staff Officer Course delivered by SWEDINT utilizes the United Nations Standardized Peacekeeping Training Standards.

2009

The NATO School and SWEDINT signed a Memorandum of Understanding to initiate a mutual cooperation on the development of a common course.

2009

The Allied Command Transformation (ACT) and SWEDINT signed a MoU regarding the NATO Lessons Learned Staff Officer Course.

2010

SWEDINT in association with the Swedish Armed Forces HQ and Gender force launched the Gender Field Adviser Course (GFA).

2011

Following courses at SWEDINT was evaluated by SACT and accredited as ”NATO Selected”, NATO COPC, NATO LL SOC and GFA.

2012

Nordic Centre for Gender in Military Operations established at SWEDINT in January.

2013

The Swedish Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Jan Salestrand, signed the Memorandum of Understanding which declares the agreement of appointing the Nordic Center for Gender in Military Operations (NCGM) as NATO Department Head concerning gender.

2014


SWEDINT has been awarded NATO Quality Assurance Unconditional Accreditation for its efforts to produce the highest quality NATO education and training. SWEDINT was found to have sound internal quality assurance systems and procedures for the assurance of quality standards.