The government, as previously known, wants to be able to send conscripts to fight in countries other than Sweden. Now, an inquiry is being launched to examine the “legal conditions” for being able to do this. This is stated in a government directive obtained by Samnytt.

As of April 1st, that is, Wednesday this week, Minister of Defence Pål Jonson (M) has been tasked by the government to appoint a special investigator to examine “the service of conscripts in NATO’s collective deterrence and defense”.

And no, this is not an April Fool’s joke.

Fighting in Other Countries

According to the government directives reviewed by Samnytt, the investigator Jonson appoints is to, among other things: “analyze the need to use conscripts for participation in NATO’s collective deterrence and defense across the entire conflict spectrum, both in situations where the government has decided on readiness service or military service, as well as in situations where such a decision has not been made”.

ALSO READ: Conscripts May Be Deployed in NATO Wars

Furthermore, the investigator is to “account for the legal prerequisites for utilizing conscripts, both during basic training and afterwards, in NATO’s collective deterrence and defense” as well as “propose necessary legislative amendments”.

The government emphasizes that both conscripts assigned to wartime posts and those currently in training may be sent abroad in this way.

Better There than Here

In its directives, the government points to its proposal “Total Defence 2025–2030”, which parliament approved shortly before Christmas 2024.

“As stated above, it is clear that if the service is needed for Sweden’s defense, there is nothing preventing conscripts from being deployed outside Sweden’s borders. What is needed for Sweden’s defense must be seen in light of Sweden’s commitments within the framework of NATO membership and the needs of collective defense,” the proposal states.

ALSO READ: Parliament: Swedish Conscripts Will Fight for NATO

This message is now reiterated in the new investigation being launched by the government.

“The situation may be such that Sweden is best defended through operations and other activities outside Sweden’s borders, for example, in an allied country. Conscripts assigned to wartime posts can, according to current law, be sent abroad if necessary for the defense of Sweden,” state the directives.

A New Military Force

Previously, Sweden was non-aligned and had a conscription-based defense. This meant that everyone living in Sweden, mainly men of military age, was obliged to serve and defend their own country.

But since Sweden joined the NATO military alliance, that has changed. The government has previously made it clear that Swedish conscripts may be ordered to war even in other countries, something the investigator is now directed to examine more closely.

At the same time, the government writes: “Conscription represents a significant restriction on individual freedoms and rights” and that conscripts should only be required to serve for “purposes that are acceptable in a democratic society”.

The inquiry is to be completed by April 26, 2027.

ALSO READ: Swedish Conscripts May Be Ordered to Fight at NATO’s External Border