2023-02-082022/23:FöU6 · p.2FöUDefence
Military defense and capability
What's at stake: The decision concerns the foundations of Sweden's military defence capability - including the direction of the fighter-aircraft system and the requirements on the personnel and material readiness of war units - at a time when the security situation has deteriorated and Sweden is moving toward Nato membership, which could in time affect the goal for the military defence.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
The question is whether the goal for the military defence and the requirements on the armed forces' capability and war organisation, which parliament decided for the 2021-2025 period, should be reconsidered now - partly in light of how resources and capability have developed and how defence should be coordinated in the surrounding region - or whether the current direction should stand while work expected to follow from Nato membership proceeds.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee stands by the goal for the military defence and the war organisation that parliament decided in 2021, including the direction for the fighter-aircraft system, and sees no reason at present to reconsider the requirements on military capability or on the armed forces' organisation based on the capability needs or regional perspectives raised by the motions. The committee notes, however, that Nato accession could affect Sweden in a way that may warrant a later review of the goal for the military defence, but does not wish to pre-empt that work - what matters right now is that the already-decided war units are brought up to full personnel and material strength and trained together. The committee therefore rejects all the motions on this point.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 3 (S)
The reservation (S) points out that the armed forces' financial resources increased by about 100 percent from 2014 to 2025 and that military capability grew over the same period, a foundation laid by the previous government. The reservation argues that future planning and tasks must be structured so that the different armed services are coordinated and deployed as efficiently as possible by treating the whole Scandinavian area, from the Arctic to the Baltic Sea, as one connected operational area.
Summarised from the committee report. Party labels in the summary come from the report, not from the vote.
What do the votes mean here?
Yes The committee proposal: rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).
No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 3 by S.
Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.
What each plan points to — and how the party voted
For each party: the vote its own election manifesto and party programme point to in this case, next to how the party actually voted. A plan can only point to Yes or No; a party can also abstain.
| Plan | Vote | Confidence | Evidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | Yes | Yes 21/0/0/3 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| S | No | No 0/94/0/13 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| MP | Yes | Yes 14/0/0/4 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| C | No | Abstain 0/0/16/8 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| L | No | Yes 14/0/0/2 | departs from the plan | confidence: high | derived |
| KD | No | Yes 15/0/0/4 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| M | No | Yes 60/0/0/8 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| SD | No | Yes 61/0/0/12 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
Committee proposal
The Riksdag rejects the motions 2022/23:100 by Hans Wallmark et al. (M), 2022/23:663 by David Josefsson and Marie-Louise Hänel Sandström (both M), 2022/23:780 by Jesper Skalberg Karlsson (M) demand 1, 2022/23:850 by Mikael Larsson et al. (C) demands 1 and 3, 2022/23:948 by Sven-Olof Sällström et al. (SD) demands 18, 19 and 23 and 2022/23:2012 by Peter Hultqvist et al. (S) demand 2.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motionerna 2022/23:100 av Hans Wallmark m.fl. (M), 2022/23:663 av David Josefsson och Marie-Louise Hänel Sandström (båda M), 2022/23:780 av Jesper Skalberg Karlsson (M) yrkande 1, 2022/23:850 av Mikael Larsson m.fl. (C) yrkandena 1 och 3, 2022/23:948 av Sven-Olof Sällström m.fl. (SD) yrkandena 18, 19 och 23 samt 2022/23:2012 av Peter Hultqvist m.fl. (S) yrkande 2.
Riksdag decision: The Riksdag rejected all motions on defense policy and total defense from the general motion period 2022. The motions addressed, for example, military and civil defense, cyber policy and procurement of military equipment. The Riksdag considers, among other things, that work is already underway in the areas covered by the motions.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants the military and civil defense together to have sufficient strength and composition to deter others from attacking, controlling or exploiting Swedish territory. (S) — Reservation 3
Plan vs actual vote
Every party, in chamber order: what its own plan pointed to, how it voted, and the reasoning behind both. Highlighted rows are where the two differ — but a vote that follows the plan is a result too, so the reasoning is there for every party.
The counter-proposal wants to plan the armed forces based on the entire Scandinavian region as a coherent operational area, which requires integrated planning with neighbouring countries and NATO.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The counter-proposal wants to plan the armed forces based on the entire Scandinavian region as a coherent operational area, which requires integrated planning with neighbouring countries and NATO. The plan, by contrast, safeguards Swedish military non-alignment and opposes ever-closer military cooperation with NATO and EU, with its own defence adapted under maintained neutrality.
Original (Swedish)
Motförslaget vill planera stridskrafterna utifrån hela det skandinaviska området som ett sammanhängande operationsområde, vilket förutsätter integrerad planering med grannländerna och Nato. Planen värnar tvärtom svensk alliansfrihet och motsätter sig ett allt djupare militärt samarbete med Nato och EU, med ett eget försvar anpassat under bibehållen neutralitet.
- Swedish military non-alignmentdecisive»Därför är Vänsterpartiet motståndare till Sveriges allt djupare militära samarbete med NATO och EU, och vi är det enda riksdagspartiet som konsekvent värnar och vill återupprätta svensk alliansfrihet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“That is why the Left Party opposes Sweden's ever-deepening military cooperation with NATO and EU, and we are the only party in the Riksdag that consistently safeguards and wants to restore Swedish military non-alignment.”
- military non-alignment shall be strengthened»Sveriges militära alliansfrihet, som i dag hotas av EU:s militära ambitioner och Natos utvidgning, ska försvaras och stärkas.« (party programme ↗)“Sweden's military non-alignment, which is today threatened by the EU's military ambitions and NATO's expansion, shall be defended and strengthened.”
- against increased militarisation»Vänsterpartiet anser att Sverige ska vara en röst för fred och rättvisa, inte för ökad militarisering.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The Left Party believes Sweden should be a voice for peace and justice, not for increased militarisation.”
- neutrality as framework»försvaret ska med bibehållen neutralitet fortlöpande anpassas till« (party programme ↗)“the defence shall be continually adapted with maintained neutrality”
The plan establishes that Sweden shall join NATO and that Nordic and Baltic cooperation is central, which requires that the armed forces be planned from a common regional perspective.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that Sweden shall join NATO and that Nordic and Baltic cooperation is central, which requires that the armed forces be planned from a common regional perspective. The plan also states that security in our region has deteriorated significantly and wants to see strengthened military presence throughout the country. Viewing the area from the Arctic to the Baltic Sea as coherent follows from this.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att Sverige ska gå med i Nato och att det nordiska och baltiska samarbetet är centralt, vilket förutsätter att stridskrafterna planeras i ett gemensamt regionalt perspektiv. Planen konstaterar också att säkerheten i vårt närområde kraftigt försämrats och vill se förstärkt militär närvaro över hela landet. Att betrakta området från Arktis till Östersjön som sammanhängande följer av detta.
- NATO membershipdecisive»Sverige ska gå med i Nato. Ett svenskt medlemskap i Nato är den bästa vägen för vårt lands säkerhet och Sverige har därför lämnat in sin medlemsansökan.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden shall join NATO. Swedish membership in NATO is the best path for our country's security and Sweden has therefore submitted its membership application.”
- Nordic-Baltic cooperation»Också det nordiska samarbetet är centralt, liksom samarbetet med de baltiska staterna.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Nordic cooperation is also central, as is cooperation with the Baltic states.”
- deteriorated regional situation»Samtidigt har Rysslands anfallskrig kraftigt försämrat säkerheten i vårt närområde.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“At the same time, Russia's war of aggression has significantly deteriorated security in our region.”
- military presence throughout the country»Vi vill att ökningen ska omsättas i bland annat fler värnpliktiga, modern materiel samt förstärkt militär närvaro över hela landet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We want the increase to be implemented in, among other things, more conscripts, modern equipment and strengthened military presence throughout the country.”
The party programme values military non-alignment and opposes NATO membership, and the election manifesto wants to maintain non-alignment and move a larger share of defence spending to civil defence.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme values military non-alignment and opposes NATO membership, and the election manifesto wants to maintain non-alignment and move a larger share of defence spending to civil defence. Planning military forces based on the entire Scandinavian region as a coherent operational area presupposes exactly the military integration that the plan rejects. The Nordic cooperation the plan values is of a different, civil character.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet värnar den militära alliansfriheten och är mot anslutning till Nato, och valmanifestet vill behålla alliansfriheten och flytta en större andel av försvarets pengar till det civila försvaret. Att planera stridskrafterna utifrån hela det skandinaviska området som ett sammanhängande operationsområde förutsätter just den militära integrationen som planen avvisar. Det nordiska samarbetet planen värnar är av annan, civil karaktär.
- military non-alignmentdecisive»alliansfriheten och är därför mot anslutning till« (party programme ↗)“non-alignment and is therefore opposed to membership in”
- independent security policy»Samtidigt vill vi att Sverige behåller sin militära alliansfrihet« (2022 manifesto ↗)“At the same time, we want Sweden to maintain its military non-alignment”
- civil defence over military»satsa en större andel av försvarets pengar på det civila försvaret, och öka anslagen till krisberedskap.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“invest a larger share of defence spending on civil defence and increase appropriations for crisis preparedness.”
- Nordic cooperation»Vi vill värna det unika samarbetet i vårt närområde« (party programme ↗)“We want to protect the unique cooperation in our region”
The plan wants to complete entry into NATO and build security through close military cooperation in northern Europe, where Nordic cooperation is given an important role.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants to complete entry into NATO and build security through close military cooperation in northern Europe, where Nordic cooperation is given an important role. Planning and organizing armed forces with the entire Scandinavian area as one coherent operational area is a direct application of that line. The plan also requires rapid and long-term rearmament to two percent of GDP.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill fullfölja inträdet i Nato och bygga säkerhet genom nära militärt samarbete i norra Europa, där det nordiska samarbetet tillmäts en viktig roll. Att planera och gruppera stridskrafterna med hela det skandinaviska området som ett sammanhängande operationsområde är en direkt tillämpning av den linjen. Planen kräver dessutom snabb och långsiktig upprustning till två procent av BNP.
- NATO membership completeddecisive»Centerpartiet vill rusta försvaret, stärka Sveriges civila beredskap och fullfölja inträdet i Nato.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The Centre Party wants to strengthen the defence, strengthen Sweden's civil preparedness and complete entry into NATO.”
- Nordic cooperation»Det nordiska samarbetet, som överbryggar många europeiska konstellationer, spelar en viktig roll.« (party programme ↗)“Nordic cooperation, which bridges many European constellations, plays an important role.”
- two percent of GDP»Sverige behöver satsa två procent av BNP på försvaret så snart det är praktiskt möjligt och gå med i Nato.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden needs to spend two percent of GDP on defence as soon as practically possible and join NATO.”
- adapted defence capability»Därför måste vi också anpassa vår försvarsförmåga efter nya hot mot landet.« (party programme ↗)“Therefore we must also adapt our defence capability to new threats against the country.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan establishes that Sweden within NATO shall in particular be able to contribute with the infrastructure that provides strategic depth for the defense of Finland and the Baltic States, and that membership deepens Nordic cooperation.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that Sweden within NATO shall in particular be able to contribute with the infrastructure that provides strategic depth for the defense of Finland and the Baltic States, and that membership deepens Nordic cooperation. To plan and group military forces with the entire Scandinavian area from the Arctic to the Baltic Sea as a coherent operational area is precisely that logic. Security is created according to the plan in alliances, not in non-alignment, while defense of Swedish territory remains decisive.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att Sverige inom Nato särskilt ska kunna bidra med den infrastruktur som ger strategiskt djup för försvaret av Finland och Baltikum, och att medlemskapet fördjupar det nordiska samarbetet. Att planera och gruppera stridskrafterna med hela det skandinaviska området från Arktis till Östersjön som ett sammanhängande operationsområde är just den logiken. Trygghet skapas enligt planen i allianser, inte i allianslöshet, medan försvaret av svenskt territorium förblir styrande.
- strategic depth in the near regiondecisive»Sverige ska inom Nato särskilt kunna bidra med den infrastruktur som behövs för att skapa ett nödvändigt och strategiskt djup för försvaret av Finland och Baltikum.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden shall within NATO in particular be able to contribute with the infrastructure necessary to create necessary and strategic depth for the defense of Finland and the Baltic States.”
- deepened Nordic cooperation»medlemskap i Nato bidrar också till att fördjupa det nordiska samarbetet.« (party programme ↗)“membership in NATO also contributes to deepening Nordic cooperation.”
- security in alliances»I dag skapas trygghet i allianser, inte i allianslöshet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Today security is created in alliances, not in non-alignment.”
- territorial defense is decisive»territorium och dess befolkning, ska vara avgörande för hur försvaret utformas.« (party programme ↗)“territory and its population, shall be decisive for how defense is designed.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The counter-proposal wants the armed forces to be coordinated and grouped based on the entire Scandinavian area, from the Arctic to the Baltic Sea, as one continuous operational area.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The counter-proposal wants the armed forces to be coordinated and grouped based on the entire Scandinavian area, from the Arctic to the Baltic Sea, as one continuous operational area. The party programme requires that security policy is characterized by cooperation, foresight and holistic solutions and that the armed forces can act as a deterrent during crises in the nearby region. The plan also establishes that Sweden cannot remain neutral if neighbouring countries are attacked, which supports a common regional perspective.
Original (Swedish)
Motförslaget vill att stridskrafterna samordnas och grupperas utifrån hela det skandinaviska området, från Arktis till Östersjön, som ett sammanhängande operationsområde. Principprogrammet kräver att säkerhetspolitiken präglas av samarbete, förutseende och helhetslösningar och att försvarsmakten kan verka krigsavhållande vid kriser i närområdet. Planen slår också fast att Sverige inte kan stå neutralt om grannländer anfalls, vilket stöder ett gemensamt regionalt perspektiv.
- holistic solutions in security policydecisive»Sveriges säkerhetspolitik ska präglas av samarbete, förutseende och helhetslösningar« (party programme ↗)“Sweden's security policy must be characterized by cooperation, foresight and holistic solutions”
- deterrent capability»kan verka krigsavhållande vid säkerhetspolitiska kriser« (party programme ↗)“can act as a deterrent during security policy crises”
- solidarity with neighbouring countries»neutrala om våra grannländer anfalls.« (party programme ↗)“neutral if our neighbouring countries are attacked.”
- nearby region in focus»är att fördjupa fredsuppbyggnaden i vårt närområde,« (party programme ↗)“is to deepen peace-building in our nearby region,”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan wants Sweden as a NATO member to become a security provider in the region, work for deepened cooperation in northern Europe and for the membership with Finland to bring the Nordic region and the Baltic closer together.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants Sweden as a NATO member to become a security provider in the region, work for deepened cooperation in northern Europe and for the membership with Finland to bring the Nordic region and the Baltic closer together. Planning and grouping the armed forces with the entire Scandinavian area from the Arctic to the Baltic Sea as a cohesive operational area follows directly from that ambition. The requirement is supported.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill att Sverige som Natomedlem blir en säkerhetsproducent i närområdet, verkar för fördjupat samarbete i norra Europa och för att medlemskapet med Finland knyter Norden och Baltikum närmare varandra. Att planera och gruppera stridskrafterna med hela det skandinaviska området från Arktis till Östersjön som ett sammanhängande operationsområde följer direkt av den ambitionen. Kravet stöds.
- Nordic-Baltic cooperationdecisive»Verka för att Sveriges Natomedlemskap tillsammans med Finland leder till ett fördjupat samarbete inom Norden och mellan Norden och Baltikum, inte bara på det försvars- och säkerhetspolitiska området.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Work for Sweden's NATO membership together with Finland to lead to deepened cooperation within the Nordic region and between the Nordic region and the Baltic, not just in the defence and security policy area.”
- security provider in the region»Sverige ska som medlem i Nato vara en säkerhetsproducent i vårt närområde och även få ut mesta möjliga effekt av medlemskapet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden, as a member of NATO, shall be a security provider in our region and also get the most possible effect from the membership.”
- cooperation in northern Europe»Verka för ett fördjupat samarbete i norra Europa« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Work for deepened cooperation in northern Europe”
- adaptation to NATO»Förbereda försvaret för svenskt Natomedlemskap« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Prepare the defence for Swedish NATO membership”
flags: citat_migrerat
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The counter-proposal seeks to have armed forces planned and organized across the entire Scandinavian area from the Arctic to the Baltic Sea as a cohesive operational area.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The counter-proposal seeks to have armed forces planned and organized across the entire Scandinavian area from the Arctic to the Baltic Sea as a cohesive operational area. The plan requires deepened Nordic defence and security cooperation, works for a defence union with Finland and wants a clear Arctic policy that prevents Russian and Chinese advances. A coordinated Nordic operational area is exactly the direction the plan advocates.
Original (Swedish)
Motförslaget vill att stridskrafterna planeras och grupperas utifrån hela det skandinaviska området från Arktis till Östersjön som ett sammanhängande operationsområde. Planen kräver ett fördjupat nordiskt försvars- och säkerhetssamarbete, verkar för ett försvarsförbund med Finland och vill ha en tydlig Arktispolitik som hindrar ryska och kinesiska framflyttningar. Ett samordnat nordiskt operationsområde är just den inriktning planen förespråkar.
- Nordic defence cooperationdecisive»Fördjupa det nordiska försvars- och säkerhetssamarbetet« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Deepen Nordic defence and security cooperation”
- defence union with Finland»Verka för ett försvarsförbund med Finland« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Work for a defence union with Finland”
- Arctic and Baltic in focus»En tydlig Arktispolitik ska tas fram som hindrar ryska och kinesiska framflyttningar och bejakar svenska ekonomiska intressen.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“A clear Arctic policy shall be drawn up that prevents Russian and Chinese advances and affirms Swedish economic interests.”
- Nordic coordination»Det försämrade säkerhetspolitiska läget i vårt närområde kräver ökad nordisk samordning och beredskap.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The deteriorated security situation in our region requires increased Nordic coordination and preparedness.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2022/23:FöU6)
- Committee report full text (HA01FöU6)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2022/23:100 — Sydsvenskt försvar av Hans Wallmark m.fl. (M)
- Motion 2022/23:1160 — Ökad satsning på cybersäkerhet av Per-Arne Håkansson (S)
- Motion 2022/23:1202 — Livsmedelsstrategi av Mattias Ottosson m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2022/23:1261 — Granskning av svenskarnas användning av känslig teknik av Markus Wiechel och Björn Söder (båda SD)
- Motion 2022/23:1654 — Säkerhetspolitiskt orienterad doktrin för energi och livsmedel av Anders Ådahl (C)
- Motion 2022/23:1685 — Nationella beredskapslager av Eric Westroth och Ann-Christine From Utterstedt (båda SD)
- Motion 2022/23:1760 — Utländska uppköp av Johan Löfstrand m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2022/23:1764 — Säkerhetspolitik av Aron Emilsson m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2022/23:2012 — Försvar och samhällets krisberedskap av Peter Hultqvist m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2022/23:2020 — Nationell strategi för global cyberpolitik av Markus Kallifatides m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2022/23:2262 — Stärk det civila försvaret och krisberedskapen av Emma Berginger m.fl. (MP)
- Motion 2022/23:266 — Stärkt försvarsförmåga i Västernorrland av Peter Hedberg och Malin Larsson (båda S)
- Motion 2022/23:315 — Internationellt kris- och hälsosamarbete av Markus Wiechel (SD)
- Motion 2022/23:319 — Beredskapslag av Markus Wiechel (SD)
- Motion 2022/23:51 — Godkännande av utländska investeringar av strategisk betydelse av Robert Stenkvist (SD)
- Motion 2022/23:663 — Stärkt försvar av Göteborg av David Josefsson och Marie-Louise Hänel Sandström (båda M)
- Motion 2022/23:780 — Försvaret på Gotland av Jesper Skalberg Karlsson (M)
- Motion 2022/23:782 — Utbyggnad av den civila beredskapen av Thomas Ragnarsson (M)
- Motion 2022/23:848 — En bättre digital säkerhet - stärkt cybersäkerhet för nutid och framtid av Niels Paarup-Petersen m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2022/23:850 — Ett mer krigsdugligt militärt försvar i hela landet av Mikael Larsson m.fl. (C)
Source: The Swedish Parliament