Sweden signs first defence and security strategy for space
Swedish defence minister Pål Jonson has announced the nation’s first defence and security strategy for space, building on its existing national space policy through a four-pillar approach.
“Space is an arena for cooperation but is also characterised by competition and the risk of conflict,” explained Jonson. “This means that we need to be prepared to take technical, political, diplomatic and military measures when required”.
The order to achieve the new strategy’s overall goal of securing Sweden’s defence and security interests in and through space, “Sweden must establish itself as an important and responsible space actor… through national and international activities,” he continued. Through strengthening the defence and security dimension in space policy, Sweden will be better equipped to meet space’s challenges and be more capable of using the domain for defence and security.
The new strategy consists of four key pillars. These include having the ability to anticipate and manage specific challenges, conducting a coherent and knowledge-based space policy that contributes to the development of crisis preparedness and total defence, creating a relevant portfolio of capabilities and services, and being an “active and responsible” partner in the international space arena.
In June this year, Karin Holmqvist, head of strategy at the Swedish Space Corporation, noted “a shared realisation that Sweden needs to speed things up;” adding that “we are all united – industry, academia, authorities and politics – in building a resilient and competitive Swedish space capability”.
