2025-10-222025/26:FöU3 · p.7FöUDefence
Nordic cooperation in the defense industrial sector
Nordic cooperation in the defense industry
What's at stake: Deeper Nordic cooperation could lower costs and strengthen shared capacity and regional security, affecting defense-industry companies across the Nordics and Sweden's negotiating position in EU defense-industry policy.
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 Riksdag should call on the government for Sweden to actively pursue closer Nordic cooperation on defense materiel and a common Nordic stance on defense-industry issues, or whether this does not require a special statement from parliament.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee rejects the motions for a special call for Nordic cooperation and sees no need for such a parliamentary statement beyond the cooperation already pursued as part of the defense-industrial strategy.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 9 (S, V, MP)
The reservation (S, V, MP) wants the Riksdag to call on the government for Sweden to seek cooperation with other Nordic countries on joint defense-industrial projects and a common Nordic and EU stance on defense-industry issues, in order to share costs, strengthen regional security and build joint capacity.
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 9 by S, V, MP.
Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.
The decision would have gone the other way
Explicit commitments that contradicted the vote: MModeraterna, SDSverigedemokraterna
Ja 173–127Nej 51–249
Counterfactual: the parties above are moved to the position their own documents explicitly point at, carrying their whole contingent present. Every other party keeps its real figures, including dissenters and absentees.
How the AI parties would have voted
For each party: what its own plan – election manifesto and party programme – argues for in this case, next to how the party actually voted. The AI can only answer Yes or No; a party can also abstain.
| AI | Vote | Confidence | Evidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | No | No 0/18/0/4 | match | confidence: low | not addressed |
| S | No | No 0/93/0/13 | match | confidence: high | not addressed |
| MP | No | No 0/15/0/3 | match | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| C | No | Yes 21/0/0/3 | differs | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| L | No | Yes 13/0/0/3 | differs | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| KD | No | Yes 17/0/0/2 | differs | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| M | No | Yes 59/0/0/9 | differsagainst own programme | confidence: high | explicit |
| SD | No | Yes 63/0/0/9 | differsagainst own programme | confidence: high | explicit |
Committee proposal
The Riksdag rejects the motions 2025/26:54 by Hanna Gunnarsson et al. (V) motion item 2 and 2025/26:76 by Peter Hultqvist et al. (S) motion item 7.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motionerna 2025/26:54 av Hanna Gunnarsson m.fl. (V) yrkande 2 och 2025/26:76 av Peter Hultqvist m.fl. (S) yrkande 7.
Riksdag decision: During the defense decision period through 2030, the Riksdag and the government make substantial investments to strengthen and develop total defense. More companies and actors are needed to meet the defense's need for rapid innovation and increased production at reasonable costs and to successfully deliver qualified military equipment to allied and partner countries. The government has presented its defense industry strategy in a written communication. In the strategy, the government describes the direction of work to strengthen Sweden's defense industrial base. The goal of the strategy is an innovative and competitive defense industry with high production capacity. The Riksdag decided to file the communication, which means the matter was concluded.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants the strategy's implementation to be followed up annually through a letter to parliament. (S, V, MP) — Reservation 9
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 plan wants to see close cooperation between the Nordic countries and Sweden to build better, defensive cooperation as a counterweight to superpower dependence.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants to see close cooperation between the Nordic countries and Sweden to build better, defensive cooperation as a counterweight to superpower dependence. Deepened Nordic cooperation on joint projects aligns with this, even though the plan at the same time opposes militarisation and arms races and is critical of locking Sweden into common EU positions. The conclusion is therefore derived and uncertain.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill se ett tätt samarbete mellan de nordiska länderna och att Sverige bygger upp bättre, defensiva samarbeten som en motvikt till stormaktsberoendet. Ett fördjupat nordiskt samarbete om gemensamma projekt ligger i linje med det, även om planen samtidigt vänder sig mot militarisering och kapprustning och är kritisk mot att låsa fast Sverige vid gemensamma EU-hållningar. Slutsatsen är därför härledd och osäker.
- close Nordic cooperationdecisive»Vi vill se ett tätt samarbete mellan de nordiska länderna och ett gott samarbete mellan de europeiska länderna.« (party programme ↗)“We want to see close cooperation between the Nordic countries and good cooperation between European countries.”
- defensive cooperation instead of NATO»Vi arbetar för att Sverige ska vara en motvikt till det, som istället bygger upp bättre, defensiva samarbeten, med sikte på att lämna Nato.« (party programme ↗)“We work for Sweden to be a counterweight to that, which instead builds better, defensive cooperation, with a view to leaving NATO.”
- against militarisation and arms races»Vänsterpartiet står för fred och deeskalering. Vi vänder oss emot militarisering och kapprustning.« (party programme ↗)“The Left Party stands for peace and de-escalation. We oppose militarisation and arms races.”
The plan commits to a developed Nordic cooperation, also within security policy, and stronger European defense cooperation.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan commits to a developed Nordic cooperation, also within security policy, and stronger European defense cooperation. The election manifesto establishes that Nordic cooperation is central. Closer Nordic defense industrial projects and a joint Nordic and EU stance are directly in line with this and also strengthen the Swedish defense industry that the plan wants to see. The counter-proposal is supported.
Original (Swedish)
Planen åtar sig ett utvecklat nordiskt samarbete, också inom säkerhetspolitiken, och ett starkare europeiskt försvarssamarbete. Valmanifestet slår fast att det nordiska samarbetet är centralt. Tätare nordiska försvarsindustriella projekt och en gemensam nordisk och EU-hållning ligger direkt i linje med detta och stärker dessutom den svenska försvarsindustri planen vill se. Motförslaget stöds.
- developed Nordic cooperationdecisive»Utvecklat nordiskt samarbete, också inom säkerhetspolitiken med hela Norden med i« (party programme ↗)“Developed Nordic cooperation, also within security policy with all of the Nordic region included in”
- central Nordic 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.”
- European defense cooperation»Starkare europeiskt försvarssamarbete.« (party programme ↗)“Stronger European defense cooperation.”
- strong Swedish defense industry»Sverige behöver ett robust militärt och civilt folkförsvar, och en stark svensk försvarsindustri.« (party programme ↗)“Sweden needs a robust military and civil people's defense, and a strong Swedish defense industry.”
The plan explicitly states that the party views defence cooperation with like-minded democratic states positively, especially neighbouring countries in the Nordic region and the Baltics.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan explicitly states that the party views defence cooperation with like-minded democratic states positively, especially neighbouring countries in the Nordic region and the Baltics. The counter-proposal's requirement for closer Nordic defence industrial projects and a common Nordic and European stance is in line with that. The plan speaks of defence cooperation rather than industrial policy, so the conclusion is inferred.
Original (Swedish)
Planen säger uttryckligen att partiet ser positivt på försvarssamarbete med likasinnade demokratiska stater, särskilt grannländerna i Norden och Baltikum. Motförslagets krav på tätare nordiska försvarsindustriella projekt och en gemensam nordisk och europeisk hållning ligger i linje med det. Planen talar om försvarssamarbete snarare än industripolitik, varför slutsatsen är härledd.
- cooperation with democraciesdecisive»Miljöpartiet ser positivt på ett försvarssamarbete med likasinnade demokratiska stater« (party programme ↗)“The Green Party views defence cooperation with like-minded democratic states positively”
- Nordic defence cooperation»särskilt våra grannländer i Norden och Baltikum.« (party programme ↗)“especially our neighbouring countries in the Nordic region and the Baltics.”
- independent security policy»Sveriges medlemskap i Nato måste förenas med en självständig utrikes- och« (party programme ↗)“Sweden's NATO membership must be reconciled with an independent foreign and”
The plan establishes that Sweden builds security through its own defence and close military cooperation with democracies in the neighbourhood, and that Nordic cooperation plays an important role.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that Sweden builds security through its own defence and close military cooperation with democracies in the neighbourhood, and that Nordic cooperation plays an important role. Closer Nordic defence industry projects and a common Nordic stance are a direct application of that commitment, and support the rapid rearmament the plan requires. The plan does not specifically mention defence industry cooperation, however, so the conclusion is derived.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att Sverige bygger säkerhet genom eget försvar och nära militärt samarbete med demokratier i närområdet, och att det nordiska samarbetet spelar en viktig roll. Tätare nordiska försvarsindustriella projekt och en gemensam nordisk hållning är en direkt tillämpning av det åtagandet, och stöder den snabba upprustning planen kräver. Planen nämner dock inte försvarsindustrisamarbete specifikt, varför slutsatsen är härledd.
- Nordic cooperation importantdecisive»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.”
- close military cooperation»genom ett eget försvar samt genom nära militärt samarbete med« (party programme ↗)“through its own defence and through close military cooperation with democracies in the neighbourhood”
- rearmament and NATO membership»Centerpartiet vill rusta försvaret, stärka Sveriges civila beredskap och fullfölja inträdet i Nato.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The Centre Party wants to rearm the defence, strengthen Sweden's civil preparedness and complete entry into NATO.”
- swift defence rearmament»Sverige ska försvaras. Vi vill rusta det militära försvaret snabbt, kraftfullt och långsiktigt.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden shall be defended. We want to rearm the military defence quickly, powerfully and for the long term.”
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 Swedish NATO membership shall also deepen Nordic cooperation and that Sweden within NATO particularly shall contribute to the defence of Finland and the Baltic region.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that Swedish NATO membership shall also deepen Nordic cooperation and that Sweden within NATO particularly shall contribute to the defence of Finland and the Baltic region. It also wants Sweden to cooperate closely with neighbouring countries in the Nordic region and for EU cooperation against internal and external threats to become denser. Closer Nordic defence industrial cooperation and a common Nordic and European stance therefore lies in line with the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att svenskt Natomedlemskap också ska fördjupa det nordiska samarbetet och att Sverige inom Nato särskilt ska bidra till försvaret av Finland och Baltikum. Den vill också att Sverige samarbetar nära med grannländerna i Norden och att EU-samverkan mot inre och yttre hot blir tätare. Tätare nordiskt försvarsindustriellt samarbete och en gemensam nordisk och europeisk hållning ligger därmed i linje med planen.
- deepened Nordic cooperationdecisive»Ett svenskt medlemskap i Nato bidrar också till att fördjupa det nordiska« (party programme ↗)“Swedish membership in NATO also contributes to deepening”
- contribute to Nordic-Baltic depth»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 particularly be able to contribute with the infrastructure needed to create necessary and strategic depth for the defence of Finland and the Baltic region.”
- close Nordic cooperation»Sverige bör samarbeta nära med andra länder, både globalt och med våra närmaste grannländer i« (party programme ↗)“Sweden should cooperate closely with other countries, both globally and with our closest neighbouring countries in”
- denser EU cooperation against threats»Inte minst vill vi öka de europeiska klimatambitionerna samt se en tätare samverkan mot inre och yttre hot.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Not least do we want to increase European climate ambitions as well as see denser cooperation against internal and external threats.”
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 party programme establishes that security policy should be characterized by cooperation and comprehensive solutions, that Sweden cannot remain neutral if our neighbouring countries are attacked and that Swedish commitments should promote European security.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme establishes that security policy should be characterized by cooperation and comprehensive solutions, that Sweden cannot remain neutral if our neighbouring countries are attacked and that Swedish commitments should promote European security. Closer Nordic defence-industrial projects and a shared Nordic stance are such cooperation that shares costs and strengthens regional security. The counter-proposal's requirements therefore align with the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Principprogrammet slår fast att säkerhetspolitiken ska präglas av samarbete och helhetslösningar, att Sverige inte kan stå neutralt om grannländerna anfalls och att svenska åtaganden ska främja europeisk säkerhet. Tätare nordiska försvarsindustriella projekt och en gemensam nordisk hållning är ett sådant samarbete som delar kostnader och stärker regional säkerhet. Motförslagets krav ligger därför i linje med planen.
- security policy cooperationdecisive»Sveriges säkerhetspolitik ska präglas av samarbete, förutseende och helhetslösningar« (party programme ↗)“Sweden's security policy shall be characterized by cooperation, foresight and comprehensive solutions”
- solidarity with neighbours»Vi kan inte stå neutrala om våra grannländer anfalls.« (party programme ↗)“We cannot remain neutral if our neighbours are attacked.”
- commitments for European security»Svenska åtaganden ska främja bland annat europeisk säkerhet och vara fredsbevarande.« (party programme ↗)“Swedish commitments shall promote among other things European security and be peace-keeping.”
- close cooperation in alliance»Ett öppet och nära samarbete med NATO bör, givet nämnda kriterier, vara en naturlig del av svensk säkerhetspolitik.« (party programme ↗)“Open and close cooperation with NATO should, given the aforementioned criteria, be a natural part of Swedish security policy.”
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 explicitly commits to working for deeper cooperation in northern Europe and for NATO membership together with Finland leading to deepened Nordic and Nordic-Baltic cooperation, and for Swedish defence industry to serve the whole alliance.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan explicitly commits to working for deeper cooperation in northern Europe and for NATO membership together with Finland leading to deepened Nordic and Nordic-Baltic cooperation, and for Swedish defence industry to serve the whole alliance. Tighter Nordic defence industrial projects and a common Nordic position lie directly in line with this. The plan therefore gives support to the counter-proposal's demands.
Original (Swedish)
Planen åtar sig uttryckligen att verka för ett fördjupat samarbete i norra Europa och för att Natomedlemskapet tillsammans med Finland leder till fördjupat nordiskt och nordisk-baltiskt samarbete, samt att svensk försvarsindustri ska komma hela alliansen till del. Tätare nordiska försvarsindustriella projekt och en gemensam nordisk hållning ligger direkt i linje med detta. Planen ger därför stöd åt motförslagets krav.
- deepened Nordic cooperationdecisive»Verka för att Sveriges Natomedlemskap tillsammans med Finland leder till ett fördjupat samarbete inom Norden och mellan Norden och Baltikum« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Work for Sweden's NATO membership together with Finland to lead to deeper cooperation in the Nordic region and between the Nordic region and the Baltics”
- cooperation in northern Europe»Verka för ett fördjupat samarbete i norra Europa« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Work for deeper cooperation in northern Europe”
- shared defence industrial capacity»Verka för att Sveriges teknologiska kunnande och kompetenta försvarsindustri kommer hela Nato till del« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Work for Sweden's technological knowledge and competent defence industry to serve the whole NATO”
The stance rests on the quoted commitment in the party's own documents; the actual vote deviated. Click the quote to verify it in the document.
The plan explicitly commits to deepening Nordic defence and security cooperation and states that the deteriorated security situation requires increased Nordic coordination, including joint research and technology development.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan explicitly commits to deepening Nordic defence and security cooperation and states that the deteriorated security situation requires increased Nordic coordination, including joint research and technology development. The counter-proposal's demands for closer Nordic defence industry projects and a common stance align directly with this. The plan also wants a defence alliance with Finland.
Original (Swedish)
Planen åtar sig uttryckligen att fördjupa det nordiska försvars- och säkerhetssamarbetet och att det försämrade säkerhetsläget kräver ökad nordisk samordning, inklusive gemensam forskning och teknikutveckling. Motförslagets krav på tätare nordiska försvarsindustriella projekt och en gemensam hållning ligger direkt i linje med detta. Planen vill dessutom ha ett försvarsförbund med Finland.
- Nordic defence cooperationdecisive»Fördjupa det nordiska försvars- och säkerhetssamarbetet« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Deepen Nordic defence and security cooperation”
- Nordic coordination in crisis»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.”
- joint Nordic technology development»därför krävs också både gemensam forskning och teknikutveckling samt insatser för nordisk språkförståelse och kulturutbyte« (2022 manifesto ↗)“therefore also requires both joint research and technology development and efforts for Nordic language understanding and cultural exchange”
- defence alliance with Finland»Verka för ett försvarsförbund med Finland« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Work for a defence alliance with Finland”
The stance rests on the quoted commitment in the party's own documents; the actual vote deviated. Click the quote to verify it in the document.
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2025/26:FöU3)
- Committee report full text (HD01FöU3)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2025/26:124 — med anledning av skr. 2024/25:193 Försvarsindustristrategi för ett starkare Sverige - innovation, produktion och samarbete av Mikael Larsson och Kerstin Lundgren (båda C)
- Motion 2025/26:54 — med anledning av skr. 2024/25:193 Försvarsindustristrategi för ett starkare Sverige - innovation, produktion och samarbete av Hanna Gunnarsson m.fl. (V)
- Motion 2025/26:76 — med anledning av skr. 2024/25:193 Försvarsindustristrategi för ett starkare Sverige - innovation, produktion och samarbete av Peter Hultqvist m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2025/26:79 — med anledning av skr. 2024/25:193 Försvarsindustristrategi för ett starkare Sverige - innovation, produktion och samarbete av Emma Berginger m.fl. (MP)
- Regeringens skrivelse 2024/25:193 — Försvarsindustristrategi för ett starkare Sverige - innovation, produktion och samarbete
Source: The Swedish Parliament