Swedish government introduces new national security strategy

The main focus of the government’s new security strategy is to make Sweden safer and more secure. The war in Ukraine is reshaping the map, which affects all of Swedish security work, says Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.

The most serious security policy situation is another issue concerning Sweden’s internal and external security and how they are interconnected. Foreign powers want to exploit the fact that there are violent, capital-strong individuals in Sweden too, Kristersson adds.

The government has established that Sweden is in the most serious security political situation since the end of World War II. Russia poses the greatest and most serious threat to our national security, says Defense Minister Pål Jonson.

China is also identified as a threat. Another threat pointed out is how authoritarian states are trying to increase their influence. This is particularly evident in China’s attempt to become a world leader in new technology. China has the ambition to develop, among other things, cyber capabilities that have consequences for our security and competitiveness, says Pål Jonson. We also see an increased collaboration between Russia and China in the military field.

Three focus areas are being pointed out in the new national security strategy. These are internal security, external security, and strengthening Sweden’s resilience and competitiveness.

The government also acknowledges that both North Korea and Iran actively support Russia’s war against Ukraine.