The government has tasked the Swedish National Defence Radio Establishment (FRA) with analysing and beginning the development of an AI-supported national cybersecurity capability. A pilot scheme will test how AI-supported tools can be used to support socially critical operations, with support from the Swedish Armed Forces.
According to the government directive, FRA is to examine the conditions for the capability and submit proposals on how it can be developed at the National Cybersecurity Centre (NCSC). The pilot scheme is to include support for socially critical operations in both the private and public sectors. The Swedish Armed Forces will contribute to the implementation based on their expertise and capability in the field.
In an earlier press release from the government, it was stated that the pilot scheme could, among other things, involve more rapidly identifying vulnerabilities, analysing risks and testing protective measures at government agencies and socially critical operations.
"The rapid development within artificial intelligence, AI, is changing the conditions for our cybersecurity. AI can be used both by threat actors and in our defence against cyber threats. AI-supported tools can, for example, be used to more quickly identify risks and vulnerabilities and prevent hostile AI attacks," says Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin in the press release.
FRA and the Swedish Armed Forces will also share experiences, methods and results relevant to the agencies' continued capability development. If necessary, they will also analyse similar initiatives in other countries. The government points, among other things, to the United Kingdom's Cyber Shield, which is intended to develop an AI-based national cyber defence capability.
The assignment is to be carried out within existing financial frameworks. FRA is to submit an interim report no later than 30 October 2026 and a final report on the assignment to the Ministry of Defence no later than 29 January 2027.