The Government of Sweden is moving forward with plans to establish a new civilian foreign intelligence agency to strengthen its security architecture in response to evolving geopolitical risks.
The proposal, first outlined in a public investigation and given preliminary approval last year, comes after criticism that Sweden’s intelligence apparatus failed to anticipate Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, despite clear signs of a military build-up.
Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said the current security environment requires enhanced capabilities and a more coordinated intelligence structure.
“As is well known, we have a serious security situation and we face a broad and complex threat picture every day, and this places new and increased demands on our capabilities,” she said at a press conference.
The new agency will report directly to the government and is intended to complement existing intelligence bodies, including the Swedish Military Intelligence and Security Service, the Swedish Security Service, and the National Defence Radio Establishment, which handles signals intelligence.
Officials said the aim is to improve Sweden’s ability to independently gather and analyze foreign intelligence, while also enhancing coordination with allies.
The initiative also reflects Sweden’s evolving role within NATO, following its recent accession to the alliance. Stenergard noted that aligning intelligence structures more closely with NATO partners is a key objective of the reform.
The cost of establishing the new agency is estimated at 2.8 billion Swedish kronor (approximately $302 million), with funding expected to be largely reallocated from the armed forces budget.
The agency is scheduled to become operational at the start of the coming year, marking a significant shift in Sweden’s intelligence framework as it adapts to a more volatile security landscape.
The move underscores a broader trend among European nations to reassess intelligence capabilities in light of recent geopolitical shocks, with a growing emphasis on early threat detection, inter-agency coordination, and strategic foresight.
