The purpose of the project is illustrated by the abbreviation SV-A-R (response), where SV stands for Sweden, A for deterrence, and R for Resilience. The two dashes seek to symbolize the need for endurance over time and thematic synergy across the spectrum from peace to war. The project seeks to counteract stove-pipe thinking by not being organized into departmental sub-projects. A number of the Academy’s most experienced members have in their personal capacities taken on the task of stimulating the discussion on deterrence and resilience from various perspectives and with strong connections between the different areas of work, which in turn have already initiated several important sub-studies.

In the security policy situation that Sweden finds itself in as a member of NATO and the EU, it is necessary to devote a lot of effort to understanding the overall context. Considering the rapidly changing global situation, the need for a pilot study has been evident. Below is a summary of this.

In previous projects, the Academy has focused on what the Swedish defense needs in order to build sufficient capability (the KV-21 project). The SES project resulted in a final report summarizing about ten volumes of books titled Allvarstid – Swedish security policy in troubled times.

The Academy’s analysis will go beyond the question of military and civil capability-building in connection with Sweden’s integration in- to NATO. NATO is also influenced by global developments and fun- damental milestones in security policy development, including those of domestic political nature, most immediately perhaps the European Parliament elections in spring 2024 and the US Presidential election in November of this year. The nuclear threat is of particular concern.

Against this background, the project will be carried out in three phases taking stock of the situation early 2025 before submitting the final report in the end of 2025.

This project SV-A-R is made possible through a generous grant from the Axel and Margaret Ax:son Johnson Foundation for Public Benefit.

Download link: https://kkrva.se/projekt-sv-a-r-sverige-avskrackning-resiliens-i-nato-och-eu/