Ten Years with the Total Defence Foundation: Freddy Jönsson Looks Back and Forward

Freddy Jönsson has contributed more than most to bringing the issue of total defence to the agenda. He is now a newly appointed member of the Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences, and Defence Sector News meets him to reflect on developments over the past 10–15 years and congratulate the Total Defence Foundation, which is soon celebrating its tenth anniversary. 

Were you alone in talking about total defence ten, fifteen years ago? 

– There were indeed a few with whom I had interesting exchanges around 2012, Kristina Syk, Ann Ödlund, Fredrik Lindgren (now Vamne), Björn Körlof, and Bo Richard Lundgren, but otherwise, almost no one was talking about total defence at that time, he says. 

In 2012, Freddy Jönsson was part of the exercise leadership for KOMPASS 12, the first joint exercise conducted by the Swedish Armed Forces headquarters from a national perspective since the Cold War. 

What did the defence debate look like then? 

– Around 2012–2013, defence bloggers moved to Twitter. The major event that drove this was Euromaidan at the end of 2013 and the Russian annexation of Crimea in early 2014. At the same time, several former diplomats began promoting Russian narratives in Swedish media, which caused great frustration, says Freddy, and continues:  

– The government was heavily criticised. The Prime Minister made thoughtless remarks about Crimea, the Foreign Minister downplayed the fact that a Russian IL-20 flew between Öland and Gotland (strategic island in the Baltic Sea) during an international staff exercise in Sweden, and the chairman of the Defence Committee thought that Russia was retreating eastward and that Europe was safer than it had been in a long time. 

How did you react to that? 

– It created strong unity on defence Twitter. Everyone writing on the subject agreed that Russia had a threatening agenda and that the government did not understand it. 

You wrote an article on Medium titled The Vulnerable Society – What Happened to "Total Defence"? around that time, how was it received?  

– It had a significant impact, many reached out, especially from the intelligence and security side. A group of reserve officers, former officers, and old security police had had the same reflections for a long time. It actually became the foundation for the Total Defence Foundation. 

In what way? 

– In 2014, the group wrote a scenario called Omfall Edmund. It was about Sweden being attacked by non-uniformed individuals, advanced influence operations, a dirty bomb, explosive devices, and sporadic firefights. It became apparent how difficult it was to decide whether the Police or the Swedish Armed Forces should handle such attacks. 

What happened when Sweden got a new government and a new Defence Committee was appointed? 

– We then wrote a study, Total Defence Study, based on a war game on Omfall Edmund. It was submitted to the government in 2016. We met with the government and the Defence Committee several times, but for much of the period, almost nothing happened, he says, and continues: 

– The crisis management office was moved from the Prime Minister's Office to the Ministry of Justice, and a security policy council was established that did not even record its meetings. The Foreign Minister referred to the Defence Committee as "that group." The criticism from defence Twitter was massive even against this government's inaction. 

Did you contribute anything concrete or were you mostly critics? 

– We contributed a lot during "the lost years" between 2014 and 2022. We established a Business Council that became the only forum where business actors met with authorities until 2023, Freddy explains. The Business Council held about 20 meetings where all preparedness authorities, the Defence Committee, the Defence Commission, and the ministry participated.  

– We also started a Council for Psychological Defence whose members later found themselves in the leadership of the new agency. Additionally, we initiated the NATO exercise Nordic Pine, which today is one of the largest civilian NATO exercises. 

Are NGOs like yours needed today, now that the authorities have stepped up? 

– Yes, the authorities are delivering much more now. The policy sets clear requirements and allocates resources that can actually make a difference. However, we see three areas where we are still needed: NATO integration of the entire society, not just the Swedish Armed Forces; security of supply, which involves global chains rather than just national preparedness; and European security cooperation. Progress is slow there. 

How will you address this? 

– From 2025, we will invest our capital in European defence companies. The returns will be used for projects that strengthen NATO integration, security of supply, and cooperation in Europe. 

The Total Defence Foundation is an example of how civil society can contribute and make a difference. How has the public sector handled such initiatives? 

– Many listen to us, but it is not always easy to translate that into action. Sometimes it is perceived more as competition than as a complement. For us, it has worked very well, but I often hear about similar initiatives that have not received the same positive reception. Authorities often want to build everything themselves instead of creating networks with academia, business, and civil society. I think that's a shame, he says. 

Is the Security of Supply Centre of Excellence in Karlskoga an example of this? 

– It has gone very well there, but there have certainly been detractors in high positions. I believe it stems from territorial thinking and jealousy. Some become stressed when they see how much can be achieved without large resources. At the same time, it is exactly what the policy, the Supreme Commander, and the Director General of the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) have requested. SOSCOE has taken and maintained the initiative and become an important international player in issues such as battery supply, autonomous transport, and dependence on China for rare earth metals. 

You have written two books on total defence, "Total Defence for Leaders" and one titled "Sweden's Total Defence in NATO". Will there be more? 

– The next book is about Security of Supply and will be released in the spring. I often say that it is cheaper to buy fighter jets than to build up security of supply. It is the greatest economic challenge for Western countries right now. I am writing the book together with members of SOSCOE's community of interest, which includes nearly 2,000 organisations. It's exciting! 

Thank you for your time, Freddy, and good luck! 

– Thank you, it was a pleasure to participate.