Swedish Armed Forces

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Swedish Armed Forces

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Military manpower

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Military age18 years of age

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Availabilitymales age 15-49: 2,062,566 (2001 est.)

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Fit for military servicemales age 15-46: 1,802,955 (2001 est.)

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Reaching military age annuallymales: 51,506 (2001 est.)

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Military expenditures

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Dollar figure$5 billion (FY98)

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Percent of GDP2.1% (FY98)

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The Swedish Armed Forces, or Försvarsmakten, is a Government agency responsible for the peacetime operation of the armed forces of Sweden. The primary long time task of the agency is to prepare for the defense of the country in the event of war, with the short-term task of training and deploying peace support forces abroad. The Armed Forces is branched into army, air force and navy. As a Government agency, it reports to the Swedish Ministry of Defence. The head of armed forces is the Commander-in-Chief of the Swedish Armed Forces (Överbefälhavaren, ÖB), beside the Sovereign the most senior officer in the country.

Related Topics:
Government agency - Armed force - Sweden - Peace support forces - Army - Air force - Navy - Commander-in-Chief of the Swedish Armed Forces

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Sweden's military is built on conscription, and until the end of the Cold War nearly all males reaching the age of military service were conscripted. In recent years, the number of conscripted males has reduced dramatically, while the number of female volunteers has increased slightly. All soldiers serving abroad are by law required to be volunteers. In 1975 the total number of conscripts was 45,000. By 2003 it was down to 15,000.

Related Topics:
Conscription - Cold War - Volunteer

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