Sweden’s total defence (totalförsvaret) has set out new 2025–2030 guidelines telling authorities, companies and citizens to prepare for war and take responsibility, as the security services warn that Sweden must be ready to resist external threats and support NATO operations.
What the plan changes in practice
The new roadmap, issued jointly by the Swedish Armed Forces (Försvarsmakten) and the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (Myndigheten för samhällsskydd och beredskap, MSB), aligns Sweden’s defence and crisis planning with its NATO membership.
It emphasises whole‑of‑society preparedness, where civil and military resources are coordinated to deter aggression and sustain critical societal functions under pressure.
Two‑week self‑sufficiency for vital services
Operators of societally important services are told to plan to sustain operations for at least two weeks with primarily their own resources during the opening phase of a conflict. This includes pre‑planned staffing, stocks of essential goods, and the ability to work with limited information and disrupted logistics.
Three months of endurance for a European war
The guidance says total defence must be able to function for at least three months in the event of a major war in Europe, with the flexibility to adapt to a longer conflict. During this period, Sweden should be capable of initial self‑defence, while integrating with collective defence under NATO.
Seven attack scenarios: from hybrid threats to Gotland
The plan outlines seven dimensioning scenarios to steer preparedness:
- Hybrid threats (cyber, sabotage, disinformation and special operations);
- Host‑nation support to allied forces transiting or based in Sweden;
- Limited attack on northern Sweden to disrupt logistics to Finland and Norway;
- Attack on Gotland, aiming to control the Baltic Sea’s key chokepoints;
- Long‑range strikes (missiles and drones) on dense urban areas and infrastructure;
- Reinforcement of NATO’s northern flank in Finland;
- Reinforcement in the Baltics.
The document notes that hybrid activity, host‑nation support and long‑range strikes are the most relevant near‑term risks and may occur simultaneously.
What citizens are expected to do
The approach revives Sweden’s tradition of civil preparedness. Households are expected to withstand short‑term disruptions, stay informed via public channels, and follow guidance from local authorities. The underlying message is collective: “No contribution is too small. Everyone’s effort is needed.”
Why NATO integration matters
As a NATO ally, Sweden must help defend the Alliance’s outer borders and be ready to host allied forces. This requires host‑nation support (värdlandsstöd) across roads, rail, ports and airfields, and civil‑military coordination to keep energy, health care, communications and transport running under stress.
Implications for the Nordics and the EU
A more credible Swedish total defence contributes to deterrence in the Baltic Sea region and reinforces NATO’s collective posture alongside Finland, Norway and Denmark. For the EU, Sweden’s planning signals a tighter link between security policy and resilience of essential services, with likely spillovers in stockpiling, infrastructure protection and cross‑border logistics.
