2024-02-072023/24:FöU6 · p.5FöUDefence
National Security Interests
Which areas count as national security interests in defence
What's at stake: Which areas are classified as national security interests affects where the state can demand influence over ownership and control in the defence industry, for example in takeovers or changes of ownership, and how robust Sweden's access to critical defence materiel such as ammunition is during crisis or war.
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 ammunition supply should be added as an explicit national security interest, with a requirement for state influence and control over all such interests, or whether the current scope — combat aircraft, underwater capability and certain parts of the command area — should remain unchanged.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee agrees with the government that materiel supply needs to be strengthened and treated as a coherent whole, in close cooperation with the defence industry, the EU and Nato. The committee currently does not see that materiel supply or the Swedish defence industry would benefit from handling individual proposals — such as adding ammunition as a specific security interest — separately, and therefore rejects the motions.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 8 (S)
The reservation wants the Riksdag to add the Armed Forces' access to ammunition as an essential security interest, alongside combat aircraft, submarines, sensors and cryptography, so that ammunition supply becomes a long-term commitment. It also wants the state to be guaranteed long-term influence and control over all essential security interests, so that changes in ownership or international partnerships do not cause Swedish control, expertise or jobs to be lost.
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 8 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 18/0/0/6 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| S | No | No 0/89/0/18 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| MP | Yes | Yes 11/0/0/7 | follows the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| C | No | Yes 20/0/0/4 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| L | No | Yes 11/0/0/5 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| KD | No | Yes 12/0/0/7 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| M | No | Yes 55/0/0/13 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| SD | No | Yes 62/0/0/10 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
Committee proposal
The Riksdag rejects the motions 2023/24:482 by Aron Emilsson et al. (SD) proposal 9 and 2023/24:2564 by Peter Hultqvist et al. (S) proposals 15 and 16.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motionerna 2023/24:482 av Aron Emilsson m.fl. (SD) yrkande 9 och 2023/24:2564 av Peter Hultqvist m.fl. (S) yrkandena 15 och 16.
Riksdag decision: The Riksdag rejected approximately 70 proposals in motions on defence policy and total defence from the general motion period 2023. The motions dealt with, for example, military and civil defence, defence material supply and international cooperation. The Riksdag considers that work is already underway in the areas covered by the motions.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants to continue investment in a strong total defense encompassing all parts of society. (S) — Reservation 8
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 states that Sweden shall be a voice for peace and justice and not for increased militarization, that weapons exports shall be phased out and that the party works for the dissolution of military alliances and general disarmament.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan states that Sweden shall be a voice for peace and justice and not for increased militarization, that weapons exports shall be phased out and that the party works for the dissolution of military alliances and general disarmament. To make ammunition supply a long-term essential security interest means an expanded and long-term guaranteed military production base, which goes against that line. The plan's requirement for state control applies to socially beneficial sectors, not a strengthened defence industry.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att Sverige ska vara en röst för fred och rättvisa och inte för ökad militarisering, att vapenexporten ska avvecklas och att partiet arbetar för militäralliansernas upplösning och allmän avrustning. Att göra ammunitionsförsörjningen till ett långsiktigt väsentligt säkerhetsintresse innebär en utbyggd och långsiktigt garanterad militär produktionsbas, vilket går emot den linjen. Planens krav på statligt inflytande gäller samhällsnyttiga sektorer, inte en förstärkt försvarsindustri.
- against increased militarizationdecisive»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 militarization.”
- phased-out weapons exports»vapenexport ska avvecklas.« (party programme ↗)“weapons exports shall be phased out.”
- disarmament and alliance dissolution»Vänsterpartiet arbetar för militäralliansernas upplösning« (party programme ↗)“The Left Party works for the dissolution of military alliances”
- against deepened NATO cooperation»Därför är Vänsterpartiet motståndare till Sveriges allt djupare militära samarbete med NATO och EU« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Therefore the Left Party opposes Sweden's increasingly deeper military cooperation with NATO and the EU”
The plan wants to powerfully strengthen military capacity with modern equipment and wants defence equipment to be manufactured and procured, while society shall regain control over strategically important activities.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants to powerfully strengthen military capacity with modern equipment and wants defence equipment to be manufactured and procured, while society shall regain control over strategically important activities. Identifying ammunition supply as a vital security interest and securing state influence over these interests thus lies in the direction of the plan. The plan also emphasizes jobs with Swedish conditions in the industrial base.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill kraftfullt stärka den militära förmågan med modern materiel och att försvarsmateriel tillverkas och köps in, samtidigt som samhället ska ta tillbaka kontrollen över strategiskt viktig verksamhet. Att peka ut ammunitionsförsörjningen som ett väsentligt säkerhetsintresse och att säkra statligt inflytande över dessa intressen ligger därmed i planens riktning. Planen betonar också jobb med svenska villkor i den industriella basen.
- modern equipment for defencedecisive»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 translated into, among other things, more conscripted soldiers, modern equipment and strengthened military presence throughout the country.”
- Swedish equipment supply»Nu öppnar nya regementen, fler soldater utbildas och försvarsmateriel tillverkas och köps in.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Now new regiments are opening, more soldiers are being trained and defence equipment is being manufactured and procured.”
- state control over strategic activities»Samhället ska flytta fram positionerna för att ta tillbaka kontrollen över utvecklingen.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Society shall move forward positions to regain control over development.”
- increased defence appropriations»Anslagen till det militära försvaret ska öka till motsvarande två procent av BNP.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Appropriations for military defence shall increase to equivalent two per cent of GDP.”
The plan says nothing about essential security interests or ammunition supply.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan says nothing about essential security interests or ammunition supply. The closest principle is that Sweden shall contribute to military disarmament in the world, take the initiative for disarmament and lead the way, and that the goal is a wound-down arms export. Long-term binding of the state to ammunition supply and Swedish defence industrial control points in the opposite direction from these commitments.
Original (Swedish)
Planen säger ingenting om väsentliga säkerhetsintressen eller ammunitionsförsörjning. Den närmast liggande principen är att Sverige ska bidra till militär nedrustning i världen, ta initiativ till nedrustning och gå före, och att målet är en avvecklad vapenexport. Att långsiktigt binda staten till ammunitionsförsörjning och svensk försvarsindustriell kontroll pekar i motsatt riktning mot dessa åtaganden.
- military disarmamentdecisive»Sverige ska bidra till militär nedrustning i världen.« (party programme ↗)“Sweden shall contribute to military disarmament in the world.”
- wound-down arms export»Miljöpartiet de grönas mål är därför en avvecklad« (party programme ↗)“The Greens' goal is therefore a wound-down”
- Sweden leads in disarmament»Sverige ska ta initiativ till internationell nedrustning och bör gå före och nedrusta« (party programme ↗)“Sweden shall take the initiative for international disarmament and should lead the way and disarm”
The election manifesto requires that military defence is strengthened quickly, powerfully and long-term and that civil defence and society's preparedness are strengthened for war and crisis, and the party programme that Sweden must be able to defend its own territory.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto requires that military defence is strengthened quickly, powerfully and long-term and that civil defence and society's preparedness are strengthened for war and crisis, and the party programme that Sweden must be able to defend its own territory. The plan also treats supply security as vital in case of war or crisis. Making ammunition supply a long-term security interest with secured Swedish control follows from these commitments.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet kräver att det militära försvaret rustas snabbt, kraftfullt och långsiktigt och att civilförsvaret och samhällets beredskap rustas inför krig och kris, och partiprogrammet att Sverige måste kunna försvara sitt eget territorium. Planen behandlar också försörjningstrygghet som livsviktig i händelse av krig eller kris. Att göra ammunitionsförsörjningen till ett långsiktigt säkerhetsintresse med säkrad svensk kontroll följer av dessa åtaganden.
- long-term rearmamentdecisive»Vi vill rusta det militära försvaret snabbt, kraftfullt och långsiktigt.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We want to strengthen military defence quickly, powerfully and long-term.”
- strengthen preparedness»Även det civila försvaret är livsviktigt. Vi måste rusta civilförsvaret och samhällets beredskap inför krig och kris.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Civil defence too is vital. We must strengthen civil defence and society's preparedness for war and crisis.”
- defend own territory»Sverige måste därför kunna försvara sitt eget territorium.« (party programme ↗)“Sweden must therefore be able to defend its own territory.”
- supply security in crisis»Den är viktig i goda tider och livsviktig i händelse av krig eller kris.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“It is important in good times and vital in case of war or crisis.”
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 requires a significantly stronger defence with defence appropriations at two percent of GDP and new equipment to be provided, and wants undemocratic states' acquisition of strategic assets to be assessed from a security policy perspective.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires a significantly stronger defence with defence appropriations at two percent of GDP and new equipment to be provided, and wants undemocratic states' acquisition of strategic assets to be assessed from a security policy perspective. The counter-proposal's requirement that ammunition supply be made into a long-term essential security interest and that the state be secured influence over these interests follows from these commitments. The plan does not specifically mention ammunition, therefore derived.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver ett betydligt starkare försvar med försvarsanslag på två procent av BNP och att ny materiel tillförs, och den vill att odemokratiska staters förvärv av strategiska tillgångar bedöms säkerhetspolitiskt. Motförslagets krav på att ammunitionsförsörjningen görs till ett långsiktigt väsentligt säkerhetsintresse och att staten säkras inflytande över dessa intressen följer av dessa åtaganden. Planen nämner inte ammunition särskilt, därför härlett.
- new equipment is provideddecisive»Antalet anställda och värnpliktiga i krigsorganisationen ska öka, ny materiel tillföras och det civila försvaret stärkas i samma takt som det militära.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The number of employees and conscripts in the war organization shall increase, new equipment be provided, and civil defence strengthened at the same pace as the military.”
- control over strategic assets»Den utveckling där odemokratiska eller rentav totalitära stater förvärvar strategiska tillgångar i« (party programme ↗)“The development where undemocratic or even totalitarian states acquire strategic assets in”
- two percent to defence»Vi vill därför redan 2025 se ett försvarsanslag om 2 procent av BNP« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We therefore want to see by 2025 defence appropriations of 2 percent of GDP”
- significantly stronger defence»Sverige behöver ett betydligt starkare militärt försvar än i dag.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden needs a significantly stronger military defence than today.”
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 defense tasks require defense materiel competence in the country, which presupposes a domestic defense industry, and that defense shall have such readiness that it can act as a deterrent.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that defense tasks require defense materiel competence in the country, which presupposes a domestic defense industry, and that defense shall have such readiness that it can act as a deterrent. Identifying ammunition supply as an essential security interest with long-term state control follows from this and from the requirement for forward-thinking comprehensive solutions in security policy.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att försvarets uppgifter kräver försvarsmateriell kompetens i landet, vilket förutsätter en inhemsk försvarsindustri, och att försvaret ska ha sådan beredskap att det kan verka krigsavhållande. Att peka ut ammunitionsförsörjningen som ett väsentligt säkerhetsintresse med långsiktig statlig kontroll följer av detta och av kravet på förutseende helhetslösningar i säkerhetspolitiken.
- domestic defense industry is requireddecisive»en inhemsk försvarsindustri.« (party programme ↗)“a domestic defense industry.”
- deterrent capability»kan verka krigsavhållande vid säkerhetspolitiska kriser« (party programme ↗)“can act as a deterrent during security policy crises”
- total defense readiness»delta i hanteringen av katastrofer och andra svåra påfrestningar i samhället« (party programme ↗)“participate in the management of disasters and other severe strain in society”
- forward-thinking comprehensive solutions»Sveriges säkerhetspolitik ska präglas av samarbete, förutseende och helhetslösningar« (party programme ↗)“Sweden's security policy shall be characterized by cooperation, forward-thinking and comprehensive solutions”
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 commits to strengthening the defence branches in both capacity and materiel and building better emergency stockpiles, which lies close to the requirement to make ammunition supply a long-term commitment.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan commits to strengthening the defence branches in both capacity and materiel and building better emergency stockpiles, which lies close to the requirement to make ammunition supply a long-term commitment. The plan also sees Swedish defence industry as a strategic asset that shall benefit all of NATO, which presupposes retained Swedish expertise and control. However, the requirement for state influence over all security interests goes further than what the plan expresses.
Original (Swedish)
Planen åtar sig att stärka försvarsgrenarna både i förmåga och materiel och att bygga bättre beredskapslager, vilket ligger nära kravet att göra ammunitionsförsörjningen till ett långsiktigt åtagande. Planen ser också svensk försvarsindustri som en strategisk tillgång som ska komma hela Nato till del, vilket förutsätter bibehållen svensk kompetens och kontroll. Kravet på statligt inflytande över samtliga säkerhetsintressen är dock längre gående än planen uttrycker.
- materiel and capacitydecisive(2022 manifesto)
- emergency stockpiles»Bygga bättre beredskapslager« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Build better emergency stockpiles”
- Swedish defence industry as asset»Verka för att Sveriges teknologiska kunnande och kompetenta försvarsindustri kommer hela Nato till del« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Work to ensure that Sweden's technological knowledge and competent defence industry benefit all of NATO”
- Swedish key capabilities»Vi kan bidra mer än de allra flesta exempelvis när det gäller stridsflyg och ubåtar, men även inom telekom och artificiell intelligens.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We can contribute more than almost anyone else for example when it comes to fighter aircraft and submarines, but also within telecommunications and artificial intelligence.”
flags: citat_ej_verifierat
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 requires that Swedish defence industry be strengthened and that the strategic interest of Swedish suppliers be valued more clearly in material procurement, and that the self-sufficiency level for critical goods be raised.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires that Swedish defence industry be strengthened and that the strategic interest of Swedish suppliers be valued more clearly in material procurement, and that the self-sufficiency level for critical goods be raised. The counter-proposal's demand that ammunition supply be identified as a vital security interest and that the state be guaranteed long-term control over these interests follows from this. The plan also wants to safeguard Swedish interests in international contexts.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver att svensk försvarsindustri stärks och att det strategiska intresset av svenska leverantörer värderas tydligare vid materielinköp, samt att självförsörjningsgraden av kritiska varor höjs. Motförslagets krav på att ammunitionsförsörjningen pekas ut som ett väsentligt säkerhetsintresse och att staten långsiktigt garanteras kontroll över dessa intressen följer av detta. Planen vill också värna svenska intressen i internationella sammanhang.
- strategic interest of Swedish suppliersdecisive»Svensk försvarsindustri ska också stärkas genom att fortsatt satsa på inhemsk försvarsteknologi och att tydligare värdera det strategiska intresset av svenska leverantörer vid inköp av försvarsmateriel.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Swedish defence industry shall also be strengthened by continuing to invest in domestic defence technology and by more clearly valuing the strategic interest of Swedish suppliers in the procurement of defence equipment.”
- self-sufficiency for critical goods»Öka den svenska självförsörjningsgraden av kritiska produkter och varor« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Increase Sweden's self-sufficiency level for critical products and goods”
- secured material supply»Satsa på uppgradering, nyanskaffning och vidmakthållande av materiel« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Invest in upgrading, new procurement and maintenance of equipment”
- Swedish interests first»Värna svenska intressen i internationella sammanhang« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Safeguard Swedish interests in international contexts”
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 (2023/24:FöU6)
- Committee report full text (HB01FöU6)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2023/24:103 — Säkrat tillträde för sällskapsdjur till skyddsrum av Victoria Tiblom (SD)
- Motion 2023/24:1076 — Totalförsvar i en marknadiserad välfärd av Marcus Wennerström och Inga-Lill Sjöblom (båda S)
- Motion 2023/24:1110 — Sydsvenskt försvar av Boriana Åberg m.fl. (M)
- Motion 2023/24:1191 — Internationellt kris- och hälsosamarbete av Markus Wiechel (SD)
- Motion 2023/24:1208 — Nationella beredskapslager av Ann-Christine Frohm Utterstedt och Eric Westroth (båda SD)
- Motion 2023/24:1708 — Försörjningsberedskap av Mattias Ottosson m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2023/24:191 — Ökat stöd till Ukraina av Magnus Jacobsson (KD)
- Motion 2023/24:2025 — Nybyggnation av skyddsrum av Peder Björk och Peter Hedberg (båda S)
- Motion 2023/24:2300 — Befolkningsskydd anpassat för nutida förhållanden av Ann-Sofie Lifvenhage (M)
- Motion 2023/24:2303 — Ansvarsfördelning och krisberedskap av Ann-Sofie Lifvenhage (M)
- Motion 2023/24:2450 — En förstärkning av det civila försvaret och krisberedskapen av Emma Berginger m.fl. (MP)
- Motion 2023/24:2456 — Krisberedskap och utveckling av militärt och civilt försvar av Mikael Larsson m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2023/24:2457 — Livskraft och framtidstro i Sveriges landsbygder av Muharrem Demirok m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2023/24:2466 — Utrikes- och biståndspolitik av Kerstin Lundgren m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2023/24:2521 — Beredskapslag av Markus Wiechel och Eric Palmqvist (båda SD)
- Motion 2023/24:2564 — Försvar och samhällets krisberedskap av Peter Hultqvist m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2023/24:384 — Totalförsvarsmotion av Sven-Olof Sällström m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2023/24:482 — Säkerhetspolitik av Aron Emilsson m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2023/24:778 — Militärt försvar av Sven-Olof Sällström m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2023/24:779 — Civilförsvar av Sven-Olof Sällström m.fl. (SD)
Source: The Swedish Parliament