Sweden wants to rebuild its “total defence” system

Dan Eliasson, head of the Swedish Civil Contingency Agency MSB (Henrik Montgomery/TT/AFP/Getty Images)
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

Liv Lewitschnik, Radio Sweden

For more news from Sweden visit Radio Sweden.

Do you want to report an error or a typo? Click here!

Leave a Reply

Note: By submitting your comments, you acknowledge that Radio Canada International has the right to reproduce, broadcast and publicize those comments or any part thereof in any manner whatsoever. Radio Canada International does not endorse any of the views posted. Your comments will be pre-moderated and published if they meet netiquette guidelines.
Netiquette »

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *