Sweden is taking significant steps to bolster its civil defense infrastructure amid ongoing warnings from authorities about the increasing threat of warfare in the region. The Swedish government has announced a substantial investment of 100 million kronor (approximately $10 million) aimed at the inspection and renovation of its civil defense shelters. With a remarkable total of 64,000 defense bunkers, Sweden possesses one of the largest networks of such facilities in the world, offering refuge for around seven million individuals.
Since Sweden’s decision to join NATO in March 2024, the Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) has intensified efforts to evaluate these shelters, some of which are capable of accommodating thousands of people. The MSB emphasizes that these civil defense shelters serve as essential protections against various threats, including shockwaves and debris from explosions, the thermal effects of a nuclear detonation, radioactive fallout, and potential chemical and biological attacks.
The government’s investment strategy also includes enhancing the emergency services’ capabilities to effectively operate during conflicts, improving cybersecurity measures, and replenishing medical supplies essential for crisis situations. Recently initiated, the modernization project for the nuclear shelters is expected to span two to three years, with progress already marked by the commencement of upgrades in 25 out of the planned 80 large-capacity shelters.
Key improvements scheduled for completion by 2025 involve replacing the critical filters in the shelters designed to protect against chemical and radiological hazards. These filters are vital in ensuring the safety of those taking refuge from weapons that can disseminate radioactive contaminants.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson remarked in January that the current situation in Sweden can be characterized as a state of uncertainty, stating that while the nation is “not at war,” it is not in a state of peace either. He attributed this precarious condition to various hybrid threats, suspected acts of sabotage in strategic regions such as the Baltic Sea, and proxy conflicts influencing the nation’s security landscape.
Following a period of reduced military spending after the Cold War, Sweden has since reversed its course, particularly after Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014. The government reactivated its “total defense” strategy in 2015—integrating military and civil defense efforts—and has further reinforced this approach following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. One notable development in the civil defense structure has been the establishment of a ministerial position dedicated to civil defense, designed to ensure coordination between civilian mobilization and military operations.
