Minister for Defence Sten Tolgfors comments on Defence Commission report
"The Defence Commission confirms every single part of the defence policy line pursued by the Government as expressed in speeches and articles from the Sälen meeting onwards, a line that focuses on renewal. It also confirms that 2008 may be the year in which the greatest renewal of defence policy in a decade takes place.
"A flexible operational defence, suitable for use at home and abroad.The key is availability. Recruitment on a voluntary basis, with an element of professional full time soldiers. Broad and deepened Nordic cooperation, joint Baltic surveillance, participation in NATO´s air situation picture and collaboration with NATO in international operations. Choice of which capabilities to maintain and which to do without, a structure and organisation that is more effective and efficient. Civil-military collaboration, a long-term and sustainable approach and a focus on international operations. A doubling of the level of ambition for international operations. Emphasis on better financial management and respect for civilian expertise in the Swedish Armed Forces. A new, more effective and efficient equipment supply process, with purchase of off-the-shelf equipment as the main option, support for the European Defence Agency (EDA), pooling of equipment with other countries and support for the Strategic Airlift Capability (SAC). All this combined with a reformed agency structure and transfer of resources from peripheral activities to operational advantage.
Sweden makes bid to supply 48 Gripen aircraft to Norway
Today Sweden presented a bid to the Norwegian Ministry of Defence offering joint development, and sale to Norway, of 48 Gripen aircraft. The bid also includes support equipment, support systems and coordinated training, maintenance and support, which would have major advantages for both Sweden and Norway.
Swedish participation in air transport cooperation
Today the Government presented a bill to the Riksdag on multilateral cooperation on strategic air transport (2007/08:56).
The bill has been prepared in light of Sweden's long-term need to ensure access to strategic military air transport capacity, partly due to the increased ambition to participate in international crisis management operations.
- Sweden enters into an agreement with Thailand on Gripen 25 January 2008
- Summary of report by the Swedish Defence Commission 04 December 2007
- US transport aircraft to take part in Nordic Battle Group final exercise 14 November 2007
- Sten Tolgfors new Minister for Defence 05 September 2007
Areas of responsibility
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The Defence Reform
From invasion defence to a flexible operational defence, for Sweden and international operations. The biggest reform in modern military history.
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The total defence
The civil defence and the military. Together they form the total defence. Read more about the different parts.
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Protection and preparation against accidents
Measures to prevent and limit the consequences of accidents, where property, environment or population is harmed.
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Severe peacetime emergencies
Severe emergencies that develops from for example an accident and that encompass a number of different areas of society.
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International operations
International peace support and humanitarian operations are some of the most important parts of the total defence.
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