The Swedish Total Defense model, an example of innovation and resilience for Europe

One of the most notable innovations of the Swedish model lies in its management of security of supplies (Security of Supply). Aware that the state can no longer finance or manage gigantic fixed public stocks, Sweden has chosen to rely on the creativity and flexibility of the private sector. Through an Industrial Advisory Council bringing together the leaders of large strategic companies with the commander in chief of the armed forces, the country organizes economic resilience upstream.

Companies with more than five employees are subject to rigorous planning: in the event of a major crisis or conflict, they have a legal obligation to be able to operate self-sufficiently for two weeks. This requires mapping of dependencies, business continuity plans and detailed management of human resources, anticipating the fact that certain key executives could be mobilized to the front.

At the same time, the citizen is placed at the center of the system via the obligation of total defense (Total defence duty), which states that anyone residing in Sweden aged 16 to 70 must serve their country in times of crisis. The country is thus massively relaunching civil conscription, first targeting the emergency services before integrating, from next year, the civilian component during the conscription exams for young people aged 18.

This popular involvement is based on a culture of transparency. The famous “yellow brochure”, a preparation booklet “in case of crisis or war” distributed to all homes, has been republished with a tone of unprecedented seriousness:

“If Sweden is attacked, we will never surrender. Any suggestion to the contrary is false. HAS”

A sign of the times and of NATO integration, this document now explicitly includes awareness of cyberattacks and the threat of nuclear weapons.