Defence Minister Pål Jonson described the security policy situation in his speech on 9 January.
– With a major war in Europe and the European security order seriously damaged, we find ourselves in one of the most uncertain and dangerous times since the end of the Second World War. Russia's actions have resulted in a fundamentally deteriorated security situation in our vicinity. This is the case here and now, with the risk of escalation and unforeseen events, and it will remain so for a long time to come.
He highlighted three historical tasks for Sweden's security and defence policy moving forward:
- Continued and increased support to Ukraine, which includes, among other things, a military support package, training support for Ukrainian soldiers, and support in materiel procurement. - The largest overhaul of Sweden's security and defence policy in modern times by successfully integrating Sweden into NATO. - The largest build-up of total defence since the 1950s.
Deepened international cooperation
The Defence Minister announced that Sweden has initiated negotiations with the USA on an agreement to enable faster and more effective American support in the event of crisis and war. He also stated that during the Swedish EU presidency in 2023, there are good opportunities for deepened cooperation between the EU and NATO.In addition to the EU presidency, Sweden is also chairing the Nordic defence cooperation Nordefco this year. When all Nordic countries become members of NATO, it provides new conditions for Nordic defence cooperation, and a new vision for the cooperation will be developed by summer 2023.
Total defence must be strengthened
Total defence encompasses both military and civil defence. Ensuring personnel supply is a key factor for the entire total defence, according to the government in the article.– Personnel supply needs to be strengthened through good employment conditions, more conscripts, and employed soldiers. Ultimately, it is about ensuring that our wartime units are fully staffed and equipped, said Pål Jonson in his speech.
Record investment in civil defence
Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin talked about how civil defence has been neglected for many years and mentioned some areas that will be strengthened in the future. Among other things, he mentioned that the government is increasing the budget for the build-up of civil defence by nearly 1 billion for 2023.He presented two new initiatives that the government decided on at the cabinet meeting on 12 January:
- The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) is tasked with implementing the necessary measures to prepare for the activation of civil duty within municipal rescue services. - A new business council is established to strengthen supply preparedness. The council will be a forum for information exchange and advice on issues of common importance for the business sector, employee organisations, and the state regarding total defence and crisis preparedness.
Personal preparedness and cybersecurity
Carl-Oskar Bohlin also spoke about personal responsibility, about personal preparedness as an act of solidarity with one's country.– Doing one's duty in small ways is also helping in the larger context when the situation becomes critical, he said.
He expressed that the government wants to create conditions for training and exercises and clearer roles for the more than 350,000 Swedes engaged in the country's voluntary defence organisations.
A priority area for total defence is also cybersecurity. Carl-Oskar Bohlin said that the work with the national cybersecurity centre needs to be intensified, and a review of the centre will be conducted in the spring.
Hope for the future
Defence Minister Pål Jonson concluded his speech with a hopeful message.– There are now, with broad political consensus, historical investments being made in total defence. We are on our way into NATO, and NATO is becoming stronger. Ukraine, with the support of the West, stands up against authoritarian Russia, and the cohesion within the EU and NATO is stronger than ever. There are reasons for hope even in these dark and dangerous times.