Swedish Armed Forces trim training as costs squeeze expansion

Sweden’s Armed Forces are reducing civilian recruitment and some training and exercises this autumn to bring spending into line with resources. The agency says conscript training and plans to build four brigades remain intact.

Bo Berg, head of the Defence Staff’s implementation unit, told Dagens Nyheter that civilian staffing had already reached the level previously planned for around 2030. There is no hiring freeze, but fewer new civilian employees are being taken on.

The reductions affect activities including the Home Guard and army. Berg gave the example of carrying out one fewer live-fire session within an exercise, rather than cancelling major exercises with combat units. He acknowledged some effect on capability development but said the agency expected it to be limited.

Plans for 2027 also need revision because resources will be lower than previously expected. Berg cited additional NATO assignments and incomplete compensation for inflation.

The agency is reviewing the pace of recruitment and infrastructure construction while prioritising NATO deterrence operations. The brigade timetable also depends on ordered equipment arriving as planned.

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