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The Swedish government announced plans during a press conference on Tuesday to establish a new intelligence agency, the Swedish Foreign Intelligence Service (UND), which will begin operations on January 1, 2027.

The Swedish government announced plans during a press conference on Tuesday to establish a new intelligence agency, the Swedish Foreign Intelligence Service (UND), which will begin operations on January 1, 2027.

The new agency will collect, analyze and report intelligence on foreign threats and security developments, and take over a series of functions from both the Swedish Armed Forces and Sweden's Military Intelligence and Security Service (MUST).

The new agency will collect, analyze and report intelligence on foreign threats and security developments, and take over a series of functions from both the Swedish Armed Forces and Sweden's Military Intelligence and Security Service (MUST).

Legislative proposals to form the agency, however — which include one new act and 22 other amendments — clarify that the Swedish military would retain responsibility over military intelligence and would continue to take other actions under the Foreign Intelligence Activities Act.

Legislative proposals to form the agency, however — which include one new act and 22 other amendments — clarify that the Swedish military would retain responsibility over military intelligence and would continue to take other actions under the Foreign Intelligence Activities Act.

Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard told reporters that the government estimates the new agency will cost around SEK 2.8 billion ($302 million). Stenergard confirmed that the government would fund UND primarily through resources transferred from the armed forces budget.

Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard told reporters that the government estimates the new agency will cost around SEK 2.8 billion ($302 million). Stenergard confirmed that the government would fund UND primarily through resources transferred from the armed forces budget.

The move comes amid criticism that the MUST failed to predict Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, despite "adequate assessments" of the country's military build-up, which an official review published in 2025 raised concerns over.

The move comes amid criticism that the MUST failed to predict Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, despite "adequate assessments" of the country's military build-up, which an official review published in 2025 raised concerns over.

The development follows an overhaul of Sweden's defense posture after it <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2024/sweden-formally-joins-nato">joined NATO in 2024</a>, with the country pledging to spend SEK 170 billion through 2030 to increase its military capabilities in what it called the "most substantial reinforcement of ... defense since the Cold War."

The development follows an overhaul of Sweden's defense posture after it joined NATO in 2024, with the country pledging to spend SEK 170 billion through 2030 to increase its military capabilities in what it called the "most substantial reinforcement of ... defense since the Cold War."

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Sweden's government announced plans on May 5 to establish a new foreign intelligence agency, the Swedish Foreign Intelligence Service (UND), with operations set to begin on Jan. 1, 2027. The agency will focus on identifying external threats through intelligence collection, processing and analysis.

Sweden's government announced plans on May 5 to establish a new foreign intelligence agency, the Swedish Foreign Intelligence Service (UND), with operations set to begin on Jan. 1, 2027. The agency will focus on identifying external threats through intelligence collection, processing and analysis.

The move follows criticism that Sweden's Military Intelligence and Security Service (MUST) failed to predict Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, despite signs of a military build-up. An official review and some politicians raised concerns over the intelligence failure.

The move follows criticism that Sweden's Military Intelligence and Security Service (MUST) failed to predict Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, despite signs of a military build-up. An official review and some politicians raised concerns over the intelligence failure.

Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said the new agency would be comparable in function to the UK's MI6 and would take over some responsibilities from MUST. It will also coordinate with the Swedish Security Service (SAPO) and the National Defence Radio Establishment (FRA).

Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said the new agency would be comparable in function to the UK's MI6 and would take over some responsibilities from MUST. It will also coordinate with the Swedish Security Service (SAPO) and the National Defence Radio Establishment (FRA).

The cost of the new agency is estimated at around 2.8 billion crowns ($302 million), with resources primarily transferred from the armed forces budget. A bill has been submitted to the Council on Legislation, with parliament expected to receive it in June.

The cost of the new agency is estimated at around 2.8 billion crowns ($302 million), with resources primarily transferred from the armed forces budget. A bill has been submitted to the Council on Legislation, with parliament expected to receive it in June.

Sweden joined NATO on March 7, 2024, ending more than 200 years of military non-alignment, becoming the alliance's 32nd member. Stenergard said the new intelligence structure would align Sweden more closely with NATO frameworks and meet expectations as a member state.

Sweden joined NATO on March 7, 2024, ending more than 200 years of military non-alignment, becoming the alliance's 32nd member. Stenergard said the new intelligence structure would align Sweden more closely with NATO frameworks and meet expectations as a member state.

Sweden's broader security overhaul includes an allocation of more than 170 billion Swedish kronor through 2030 to bolster military capabilities. Legislative proposals accompanying the UND's creation include amendments to more than 20 existing acts governing defense, data protection and security operations.

Sweden's broader security overhaul includes an allocation of more than 170 billion Swedish kronor through 2030 to bolster military capabilities. Legislative proposals accompanying the UND's creation include amendments to more than 20 existing acts governing defense, data protection and security operations.

Sweden's new foreign intelligence agency, set to launch Jan. 1, 2027, is a necessary response to a rapidly shifting threat landscape. NATO membership and technological change demand a more specialized, coordinated intelligence operation — and the government is delivering exactly that. Paired with over SEK 170 billion in defense funding through 2030, Sweden is building real deterrence capability.

Sweden's new foreign intelligence agency, set to launch Jan. 1, 2027, is a necessary response to a rapidly shifting threat landscape. NATO membership and technological change demand a more specialized, coordinated intelligence operation — and the government is delivering exactly that. Paired with over SEK 170 billion in defense funding through 2030, Sweden is building real deterrence capability.

Sweden's militarization surge has come at a steep democratic cost — peace organizations lost funding overnight, shrinking civil society and silencing dissent. Media coverage now skews overwhelmingly toward military voices, crowding out legitimate alternatives. Expanding intelligence agencies and defense budgets without robust public debate doesn't make Sweden safer; it makes Sweden less free.

Sweden's militarization surge has come at a steep democratic cost — peace organizations lost funding overnight, shrinking civil society and silencing dissent. Media coverage now skews overwhelmingly toward military voices, crowding out legitimate alternatives. Expanding intelligence agencies and defense budgets without robust public debate doesn't make Sweden safer; it makes Sweden less free.

The Russia-Ukraine War

Sweden Plans New Foreign Intel Agency by 2027

Sweden

Military

Sweden's new foreign intelligence agency is a necessary response to a rapidly shifting threat landscape. The demands imposed by NATO membership and technological change require a more specialized, coordinated intelligence operation, which this government is delivering. Paired with billions more in defense funding, Sweden is building real deterrence capability.

Sweden's new foreign intelligence agency is a necessary response to a rapidly shifting threat landscape. The demands imposed by NATO membership and technological change require a more specialized, coordinated intelligence operation, which this government is delivering. Paired with billions more in defense funding, Sweden is building real deterrence capability.

The announcement of this new intelligence agency is yet another sign of Sweden's growing militarization. Since Russia invaded Ukraine, Sweden has abandoned its traditional neutrality at breakneck speed. In the process, peace organizations have lost funding overnight, civil society has shrunk and dissent has been silenced in favor of a growing chorus for war.

The announcement of this new intelligence agency is yet another sign of Sweden's growing militarization. Since Russia invaded Ukraine, Sweden has abandoned its traditional neutrality at breakneck speed. In the process, peace organizations have lost funding overnight, civil society has shrunk and dissent has been silenced in favor of a growing chorus for war.

Sweden Plans New Foreign Intel Agency by 2027

Sweden Plans New Foreign Intel Agency by 2027

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Sweden Plans New Foreign Intel Agency by 2027

Sweden Plans New Foreign Intel Agency by 2027

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