Sweden wants to rebuild its “total defence” system
![](https://www.rcinet.ca/eye-on-the-arctic/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2019/07/sweden-police-chief-dan-eliasson.jpg)
All people over the age of 16 living in Sweden can be called upon to assist in times of crisis or war, and now the country is working on rebuilding its system of “total defence”.
The Cold War system of total defence brings together different authorities, civilian volunteer organisations as well as select private businesses to safeguard food, water and electricity supplies, as well as provide medical care and protect financial systems, in case of crisis including attacks on Swedish soil.
Sweden is now working on ways to strenghten operations within total defence. There are challenges ahead, says Dan Eliasson, head of the Swedish Civil Contingency Agency MSB.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Premier in Arctic Canada to push Ottawa for more military and icebreakers in the North, CBC News
Finland: US, Norwegian troops join military drill in Arctic Finland, Yle News
Norway: NATO’s Arctic dilemma: Two visions of the Arctic collide as NATO and Russia flex muscles, Eye on the Arctic special report
Russia: Arctic Russia: Military towns growing while overall population slides, The Independent Barents Observer
Sweden: Sweden issues first brochure on war and crisis preparedness since Cold War, Radio Sweden