The Swedish government is setting up a new inquiry to shorten lead times for the construction of military facilities. The goal is to clear away bureaucratic obstacles and strengthen total defence more quickly. The assignment is to be reported in February 2027.
"The expansion of the armed forces needs to move faster. In some cases it can take up to a decade to get regiments and facilities in place. That is completely unreasonable in these serious times," says Minister for Defence Pål Jonson in the government's communiqué.
He emphasises that simplified regulations are required for Sweden to effectively meet the threat from Russia. The new inquiry is tasked with analysing what in the planning and building processes is causing delays.
Among other things, the investigator is to examine whether a simplified and uniform standard for building permit information can be applied by the country's municipalities with regard to typical military buildings.
"Given the current security situation, one of the government's main priorities is to rapidly build military capability, both in terms of personnel and materiel," says Minister for Infrastructure and Housing Andreas Carlson.
He notes that functioning infrastructure is a fundamental prerequisite for the activities of the military defence. The inquiry is to be reported no later than 28 February 2027.