Year-in-review interview with Supreme Commander Michael Claesson, by Per Wallin
As 2025 draws to a close, Nordic defence cooperation has taken the step from ambition to practical reality. Sweden and Finland are fully integrated into NATO, and cooperation between the Nordic countries is now characterised by joint planning, increased interoperability and a shared strategic perspective. In Nordic Defence Sector's annual review, Supreme Commander Michael Claesson reflects on the year that has passed and identifies what will be decisive going forward.
What progress do you consider most significant over the past year, and what will be most important in 2026 to further deepen Nordic cooperation?
– The continued integration of Sweden and Finland into NATO is a clear success. For the first time since the Kalmar Union, all five Nordic countries find themselves in the same operational context. This creates entirely new opportunities. Particularly important will be the establishment of the staff and command elements that are to carry NATO's joint operational planning in the Nordic region. This is decisive both for the future and for our collective capability here and now.
Claesson describes how the overall picture now looks different from before.
– When you zoom out and look at geography, infrastructure and how interconnected we actually are, it becomes possible to create a flow logic that is mutually supportive. For the first time in a long while, it genuinely holds together, both logistically and operationally.
You have spoken about how concepts such as "frontline" are changing in today's security environment. How do you reason around that?
– Within NATO there is the concept of frontline states, which is often associated with the eastern border. But in an environment characterised by multi-domain operations and hybrid warfare, that becomes limiting. I regard Sweden as a frontline state, but in reality this applies to all of NATO. Even Portugal is exposed. That is why it is sometimes more accurate to speak of a border rather than a front.
He argues that this has consequences for how military leadership and planning must develop.
– To truly understand multi-domain operations, you must zoom out. Otherwise you risk becoming stuck in concepts that no longer reflect reality.
How do you view the interplay between the defence industry, research and military capability in the Nordic region?
– The connection is entirely self-evident. Beyond industry and research, we must also include academia, which underpins both. In Sweden's case, we also have state-conducted, integrity-sensitive research through the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI). Given the pace of technological development we are seeing today, it is becoming increasingly important to work in integrated project teams over time.
Claesson also calls for new ways of thinking about procurement.
– We must be able to procure capability and availability, not just materiel. Capability is not merely a piece of equipment; it also means keeping it tactically relevant and usable over time. There are great opportunities in the Nordic region in this regard, but we must not be naive. Ownership structures and the role of the state in industry differ and affect cooperation.
He also points to the importance of requirements harmonisation.
– When we find ourselves in the same military-strategic and operational context, entirely different conditions are created for shared requirements. There are already good examples of this, both Nordic and European.
Hybrid attacks, cyber influence operations and sabotage against critical infrastructure have characterised the year. What lessons do you draw from that?
– An important lesson is that we often respond bilaterally or in parallel when something happens. NATO has the mandate and structures to coordinate this type of measure and create resilience in a way that individual countries cannot.
Information sharing is highlighted as central, but so too is the need for composure.
– Awareness is necessary, but fear and panic are among the most unconstructive things there are. We must carefully assess information before drawing far-reaching conclusions.
Finally, what do you want the clear conclusion to be when we look back on 2025?
– That NATO membership is the foundation for effective Nordic cooperation. The opportunities that have now emerged are very significant. There is really nothing preventing us from going very far in terms of integration and cooperation going forward.