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Recently, the navy fired torpedoes from both a corvette and a submarine. The purpose of the firing was to validate the new lightweight torpedo, Torpedo 47, against relevant targets while also conducting a live firing from a submarine.The northern wind has died down and the sea has begun to settle as the corvettes leave the harbor in the cold dawn. Today’s mission: together with the submarine waiting below the surface, to fire the new lightweight torpedo system. In the corvette’s combat information center, the ship’s anti-submarine warfare officer has just launched a torpedo. “Torpedo in the water, normal launch, wire running well,” says the ASW officer into her headset on the ship’s internal communication system. Contact! On their large screens, she and her colleagues can follow the torpedo’s path toward the target. As it approaches, the torpedo’s own sensors acquire the target. “Torpedo, contact with target,” says the ASW officer. Seconds pass. The ship rolls slowly in the meter-high waves. The target, a large barge, lifts a few meters from the explosion. “Assessed hit on target,” says the ASW officer, who lost contact with the torpedo the moment it detonated upon impact. Tailored for the Baltic Sea Region The tests are being carried out in close cooperation with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration, the Swedish Defence Research Agency, and the manufacturer Saab. Captain(N) Robert Schöllin is head of the Navy’s Materiel Office and responsible for new equipment. He follows the shot from the bridge of one of the corvettes. “We are validating the new lightweight torpedo system, from preparations aboard the ship to detonation at the target, and I can say that I am satisfied and that the new system has full functionality,” says Robert Schöllin. Torpedo 47 is used by the navy’s corvettes and submarines for anti-submarine warfare and surface target engagement. The new torpedo is tailored for the unique underwater environment of the Baltic Sea region. “Compared with the previous Torpedo 45, Torpedo 47 has better performance in all areas. New propulsion provides longer range and higher speed. The torpedo has a new seeker and better effect,” says Schöllin. Simultaneous fire At the same time as the torpedo tests, the navy also conducted a live firing from a submarine. “Given the security situation, it is important that we regularly ensure the functionality of our most advanced weapons. It is also highly relevant to pressure-test new equipment throughout the entire chain with our platforms and personnel,” says Rear Admiral Johan Norlén, Chief of Swedish Navy. “This demonstrates our ability to deliver effect in the Baltic Sea region, which is a prerequisite for being able to maintain sea control, both independently and together with our allies,” Johan Norlén concludes. […]

Mallet Strike is a multinational NATO air-defence exercise that brings more than a thousand troops for ground-based air-defense training and interoperability to Finland. The exercise includes a wide range of simulated air threats, including drones of various sizes, helicopters, and fighter aircraft. Before sunrise, the launch of multiple drones is drowned out by the roar of NH90 helicopters lifting off. A thin layer of snow covers the coastline in Finland, the area hosting the large-scale Mallet Strike exercise. Sweden participates for the second year as a NATO member, and the deployment to Finland also serves as a major logistical test involving the movement of personnel and vehicles from south of Sweden. “Because of the situation in Ukraine, we have to train together. The Swedish and Finnish cultures are similar, which makes cooperation easy—something that is essential if we ever need to fight side by side”, says Major Henrik Nihleen, commander of the Swedish unit. Sweden´s contribution of several Fire Unit 98 IRIS-T systems and associated sensors, are intergraded with the command where swedish cadets are also working alongside finnish soldiers in the command post. The exercise, held annually and first arranged in 1952, brings together over a thousand soldiers from multiple nations. This year, Swedish, Finnish, and British troops took part. “It’s a great opportunity to train together and to test our interoperability. The way we train and think is very similar. We are working to detect and engage targets at different altitudes and speed - and many at the same time”, says Captain Jaakko Torppa, air-defence battalion commander. For the Finnish soldiers, Mallet Strike is one of the major air-defence events of the year. The ten-day exercise has a long tradition and has been conducted twice a year since it began. And now as a NATO member, Sweden can contribute to that tradition.  &nbs […]

Lieutenant General John W. Brennan, Deputy Commander of United States Africa Command (US AFRICOM), recently met with Rear Admiral Ewa Skoog Haslum, Chief of Joint Operations, via virtual meeting to discuss the ongoing cooperation within Operation Thunderbird in Somalia.Earlier this summer, the Swedish Armed Forces deployed a small unit to Somalia to support the Somali National Army in its counterterrorism operations. The mission contributes not only to combating terrorism in the region but also to strengthening both Swedish and global security. “The Swedish contingent is focused on supporting Somali and U.S. forces through training, advisory activities, and technical exploitation capabilities – that is, extracting as much information as possible from a site, event, or object”, said Ewa Skoog Haslum. Sweden’s presence in Somalia is based on an invitation from the Somali government, and the support to the Somali Armed Forces is conducted in cooperation with U.S. Africa Command (US AFRICOM). So far, the results have been very positive, and Lt. Gen. Brennan is eager to continue the collaboration. “Sweden is an invaluable partner in the fight against terrorist groups in Somalia. Their unique expertise – particularly in forensic intelligence – makes a real difference and strengthens our collective ability to achieve results together with Somali forces”, said John Brennan. The security situation in Somalia remains serious, and the Swedish Armed Forces has carried out a comprehensive risk assessment for the deployment. Sweden also participates in several other international missions in the region, including the EU Training Mission (EUTM) Somalia, Operation Atalanta, and Operation Aspides. U.S. Africa Command (US AFRICOM) is responsible for coordinating U.S. military activities across Africa, including countering extremist groups, training and strengthening partner security forces, and addressing a range of regional security threats. Its headquarters are located in Stuttgart, Germany. […]

The Swedish Armed Forces will receive four new C-390 transport aircraft. Today, a signing ceremony was held at the air base in Uppsala, and the first Swedish aircraft is expected to arrive at the end of 2027.Present at the ceremony were, among others, Minister of Defence Pål Jonson, Air Force Chief Jonas Wikman, FMV Director General Mikael Granholm, Dutch State Secretary Gijs Tuinman, as well as both national and international media.“With its capabilities, the C-390 will play a key role in strengthening Sweden’s national and international missions and readiness in turbulent times,” said Minister of Defence Pål Jonson. Today’s signing marks a long-awaited step in the process of replacing the current Transport Aircraft 84 Hercules. The C-390 will meet the Air Force’s operational needs for a long-term tactical airlift capability, while enhancing the Armed Forces’ ability to rapidly transport personnel and materiel both nationally and internationally. Air Force Chief Jonas Wikman emphasized that Swedish Air Force history was made today, and that the C-390 is a welcome addition to Sweden’s air fleet.“This is an important day, a milestone and a springboard into the future. For us, this marks a beginning in many ways—we are in a phase of change within the Air Force, adapting to new challenges,” said the Air Force Chief. Through a joint procurement with the Netherlands and Austria, Sweden is making a long-term investment but with an accelerated process. Since Sweden is joining an already existing contract, the aircraft can be delivered more quickly.“In this way, we have saved both time and costs, and we can also meet challenges together and cooperate on them,” said FMV Director General Mikael Granholm. The current military transport aircraft have served the Armed Forces for 60 years, and the process to replace the system has been underway for some time. The replacement, the C-390, is manufactured by Embraer and is a tactical medium-range transport aircraft capable of carrying 80 passengers or a load of 26 tons. During a defence ministers’ meeting in Brazil last November, Minister of Defence Pål Jonson signed a declaration of intent to expand cooperation in the aviation field. […]

The Swedish Minister of Defense held the opening speech and The Swedish Armed Forces hosted nations from across the globe in Stockholm for Nimble Titan 26, ossn September 14-19. Nimble Titan is a multinational forum for exploring emerging threats through experimentation and cooperation to increase global security. It is unique being the world´s only venue of its kind for integrated air and missile defence (IAMD).The Nimble Titan gathers military and policy experts from nations that are geographically dispersed and do not normally exercise together, which creates the unique environment for collaboration and partnership. With the method of wargame and a notional scenario a decade in the future the participants are challenged to solve complex IAMD problems against a set of different global adversaries. – Integrated Air and Missile Defense is one of the most critical components of modern military strategy. In an era defined by rapid technological change and evolving threats, IAMD stands as a cornerstone for security. The Ukraine conflict shows the need for mass production and the important role of the defense industry to enable global collaboration and innovation to build capability today and for the future, says the Swedish Minister of Defense Pål Jonson. Space is of importance For an integrated air and missile defense the development of space has an important role as well as advanced military capabilities for long-range warfare. – The threats are constantly evolving and together with other nations we develop a better situational awareness. Our military capabilities need to manage a defense against incoming missiles as well as be able to reduce the adversary´s ability. Cooperation and strategic communication are important tools to achieve this, says Lieutenant Colonel Anders Broberg, representing The Swedish Armed Forces and host for the Nimble Titan 26 in Stockholm. – Today´s emerging threats have global consequences. The cooperation within Nimble Titan provides a much-needed environment for all members to explore complex space and missile defense challenges in a way that fosters open dialogue and shared endeavor for global stability, says Colonel Jeffrey Hazard, from US Space Command and the Nimble Titan Director. […]

From 7–16 July, the multinational cyber defense exercise Cyber Flag was held at the Joint Warfighting Center in Suffolk, Virginia, where Sweden and Finland participated as a joint team.Cyber Flag is organized by US Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) and is the largest recurring cyber defense exercise, with more than 20 participating countries. The exercise focuses on defensive cyber operations and is designed to strengthen partnerships and improve participating nations’ ability to detect, manage, and defend against cyber threats. During the exercise, teams work in a simulated environment created within the Persistent Cyber Training Environment (PCTE). The environment reflects real-world threats such as supply chain compromises, ransomware, and zero-day attacks. The focus is on detecting, isolating, and removing adversary presence in networks. In addition, USCYBERCOM’s Cyber Protection Teams act as adversaries to test each team’s defensive capabilities. The Swedish-Finnish team gained increased practical experience in jointly handling complex incidents under pressure. An important lesson from Cyber Flag 25-2 is the importance of coordinated training at all levels – from the technical identification of threats to overarching decision-making and communication. “Through Cyber Flag, we enhance Sweden’s capabilities and deepen our cooperation with Finland – the exercise enables us to develop methods and procedures for jointly handling targeted antagonistic cyberattacks” said Colonel Thomas Höglund, head of the Swedish Cyber Command. Multilateral exercises such as Cyber Flag 25-2 strengthen international cooperation in defensive cyber operations and create the conditions to jointly handle cyberattacks. International cooperation is essential to counter today’s advanced threats in the cyber domain, as well as to protect and defend Swedish interests. […]

In August, logistics support leaders from the U.S. Department of Defense, along with a representative from the United Kingdom, visited Norway, Sweden, and Finland to gain a deeper understanding of the region’s geography, logistics, and Host Nation Support. Among other places, the delegation visited Kiruna and the mining company LKAB’s Visitor Centre.“We have explained how we fulfill our role as a transit country and logistical hub within NATO in Northern Europe, and how this creates the conditions for rapid reception and support of Allied forces,” says Major General Stefan Sandborg, head of the Swedish Armed Forces Support Unit. The visit focused on highlighting Sweden’s regional conditions for Host Nation Support, perspectives from both civil and total defense, and cooperation between the Nordic countries. Furthermore, the implementation of the Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) between Sweden and the United States was also discussed, as well as the opportunities it offers for the basing of troops, transport infrastructure, sustainment, and prepositioning. Peter Sandwall, State Secretary at the Swedish Ministry of Defense, summed up: “The visit clearly demonstrates the strategic importance of the High North in today’s security environment. It also represents an important step in developing and deepening U.S.–Swedish military cooperation in a practical and tangibe manner.&rdquo […]

Someone once said, “History is full of mistakes. The wise study them; the foolish repeat them.” But can military personnel and civilians participating in a Lessons Learned Course actually gain relevant insights today from studying a 400-year-old wooden ship that sank on its maiden voyage? Absolutely. The Vasa ship has fascinated people for centuries — and for different reasons. Since it was finally raised from the sea in 1961, millions have seen her up close. Scientists continue to uncover new information tied to the ship’s history. Now, for the second time, students participating in the NATO Lessons Learned Course at SWEDINT in Kungsängen have used the catastrophe — when the ship sank just 1,200 metres into its maiden voyage — as a case study. “The way they integrated the Vasa case is phenomenal,” says Captain Christina LaPorte, one of the students on the course. Christina oversees lessons learned within her unit at Travis Air Force Base in California. “At first, the case study didn’t make sense. Then they started giving you different pieces of the puzzle — it was like a light went on: This makes sense now. And then, visiting the Vasa Museum, you weren’t just learning about the process — you were walking through the process yourself. I think that really helps it stick when you actually apply it,” she adds. It’s All About Learning Analysis Techniques Lieutenant Colonel Jason Thompson from the Joint Analysis and Lessons Learned Centre (JALLC) in Lisbon is the course director. He explains the rationale behind using this unusual case study, which is very different from traditional paper-based examples: “It’s all about learning analysis techniques — getting down to the root cause of a problem and understanding how we can prevent it from happening again,” Jason explains. “Ultimately, NATO is a learning organisation. We have to evolve, adapt, and stay current with the security challenges we face around the world. We always need to stay one step ahead of our adversaries.” “We’ve used other scenarios before, like a climbing disaster on Mount Everest and Operation Eagle Claw — the U.S. hostage rescue attempt in Iran. This time, we took advantage of the Vasa Museum, which is only a few minutes from the SWEDINT facilities.” From Wooden Ship to Cyber Attack It may seem like a 400-year-old wooden ship has little to do with today’s cyber domain. But Karen Armstrong, Lessons Learned Manager at the Canadian Armed Forces Cyber Command, sees it differently: “Lessons learned are lessons learned. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a cyberattack now or a ship that sank 400 years ago — it’s still a lesson. We’re not focused on specific topics; we’re focused on how to draw conclusions that drive the lessons learned. It’s a procedure. Everything we do is about saving time, saving money, and saving lives — making improvements,” says Karen. […]

For three days, Swedish Armed Forces personnel who work, or may become involved, in the area of reintegration received training. The training was conducted in collaboration with the Joint Personnel Recovery Agency (JPRA) from the USA and the Swedish Armed Forces Centre for Defence Medicine (Försvarsmedicincentrum). Reintegration constitutes part of the final phase of the Personnel Recovery (PR) system once isolated personnel have been rescued.Reintegration is about returning isolated personnel to duty. The methodology is based on a strategic and structured system called the Personnel Recovery (PR) system, where reintegration is part of the concluding work within the system. To train in and develop the Swedish Armed Forces' Personnel Recovery (PR) system, as well as to increase interoperability with other NATO countries, the Centre for Defence Medicine (FömedC) invited two representatives from the Human Factors unit of the Joint Personnel Recovery Agency (JPRA) in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, USA, to conduct training. The training took place in Gothenburg over three days with SERE psychologists COL Joseph H. Afandor (Chief, Human Factors Division) and Dr. Gary Percival (Deputy Chief, Human Factors Division), who were welcomed by Colonel Malin Johansson Ekenberg, Head of the Swedish Armed Forces Centre for Defence Medicine. "Reintegration is not the same as psychological treatment, but rather involves a holistic approach that aims to complete the mission for both the returning individual and the Swedish Armed Forces. The returning individual should not be seen as 'broken' but as an individual who has gone through and managed something extraordinary. This mindset, I believe, is important for us to adopt," says Johanna Holmdahl, licensed psychologist, functional representative, Centre for Defence Medicine. The training began with an overview of the reintegration area and continued with how people react to isolation and how they cope with it afterward. On the third day, the training concluded with how the reintegration process supports the return to work and family. The training is based on experiences from the Swedish Armed Forces' participation in the Multinational Capabilities Development Campaign (MCDC) 2022-2024. "MCDC is an important forum that promotes exchange between countries and provides an opportunity to jointly generate solutions to common problems. In this case, the USA is a leader in JPRR, and it was a natural step to invite them here as part of developing our process within JPRR," says Jan-Olov Nordin, Lieutenant Colonel, HQ STRA UTV and national director for MCDC in Sweden. […]

The rapid evolution of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) poses a significant threat to military operations and critical infrastructure. As seen in the war in Ukraine, low-cost, agile drones are increasingly deployed on the modern battlefield. To address this challenge, the Swedish Armed Forces have prioritized the development of a mobile, modular counter-UAS (C-UAS) capability.Designed to be operated by conscripts and tested against replicas of Russian drones, the system has proven effective in realistic scenarios – ensuring Sweden’s ability to counter evolving UAS threats. New C-UAS Capability  The system, developed in collaboration with FMV (Swedish Defence Materiel Administration) as well as defence industries, will strengthen the Swedish air defence. The C-UAS system integrates existing military off-the-shelf components into a comprehensive kill chain: - Detection and Classification: The Giraffe 1X radar, with its Drone Tracker function, identifies and classifies low, slow, and small (LSS) aerial targets. - Command and Control: A SHORAD-based system coordinates responses, enabling rapid decision-making.  - Neutralization: The Trackfire ARES remote weapon station and BAE Tridon MK2 engage and eliminate threats. The system is mounted on mobile platforms like the 4x4 Sisu GPT vehicle and Scania flatbed truck, which makes it highly maneuverable and allows quick deployment to dynamic threat zones. Its modular design supports scalability, with the ability to integrate additional effectors as needed. Strategic Importance  By entrusting conscripts with its operation, the Swedish Armed Forces ensure operational flexibility while building a resilient, future-ready force. This initiative also reflects a cultural shift in collaboration between the Armed Forces, FMV, and industry partners, moving toward agile, threat-driven development. Conclusion Sweden’s conscript-operated C-UAS capability marks a significant advancement in countering the growing drone threat. By leveraging conscription and modular technology, the Swedish Armed Forces are enhancing their air defense while fostering a new generation of skilled, adaptable soldiers. This system improves Sweden’s readiness to protect its airspace and critical infrastructure in an increasingly complex security landscape. […]

On 1 December, Minister for Defence Pål Jonson is taking part in the Berlin Security Conference. […]

(New version) On Friday 18 November, Minister of Defence Pål Jonson will travel to Canada to attend the Halifax International Security Forum (HISF) on 18–19 November. […]

The Government has decided to provide additional military support to Ukraine. The support consists of materiel requested by Ukraine, including anti-tank weapons, infantry support weapons and mine clearance equipment. In total, this support amounts to a value of approximately SEK 500 million. […]

The Government has adopted a bill proposing legislative amendments to quickly streamline Sweden’s ability to receive military support. The aim is to enable quicker decisions on receiving operational military support in the form of military forces from states that are members of the EU or NATO. […]

On 20 December the Swedish Defence Commission presented the report Resilience - the total defence concept and the development of civil defence 2021-2025. […]