NORDAC

DENMARK

FINLAND

As a Government department and the ministry providing the guidelines for defence administration, the Ministry of Defence is in charge of national defence policy and security and international defence policy cooperation. In addition, the Ministry is responsible for national military defence resources and the operating framework of the Defence Forces. It coordinates Finnish participation in international crisis management and contributes to shaping the European security structures to safeguard Finland’s national interests.

The Ministry of Defence coordinates total defence arrangements and works for maintaining the resolve of Finns to defend the country. The Ministry also acts as a link between the Government and the Defence Forces. The Government controls the Defence Forces via the Ministry of Defence and the needs of the Defence Forces are brought to the attention of the Government via the Ministry.

Direct operational command of the Defence Forces lies with the Chief of Defence, assisted by the Defence Command. In administrative matters the Defence Forces are subordinate to the Ministry of Defence. The annual defence budget is about 2.1 billion EUR, currently accounting for some 1.4% of the GDP. This is considerably lower than in most other EU member countries. However, due to a very cost effective defence solution, approximately one-third of the annual defence budget can be spent on procurement.

The Ministry of Defence employs a staff of 138 (1.1.2006). This figure includes about 10 military posts. The internal management structure is similar to that of any other civilian government agency.

The Ministry of Defence

The Finnish Defence Forces

NORWAY

Norwegian Defence Facts contents articles related to;
Norwegian security and defence policy, NATO, Division of responsibility for defence in Norway
The Ministry of Defence, Personnel and education, The Armed Forces’ military organisation
National Service, The concept of total defence, Civil protection
Operations abroad, The Armed Forces in Norway, The Royal Norwegian Army
The Royal Norwegian Navy, The Royal Norwegian Airforce, The Home Guard, Non-governmental organisations, Addresses and
Ranks and insignia.

SWEDEN

Organisation

The Ministry of Defence has existed in its present form since 1920. The ministry has been in its present premises at Gustav Adolfs torg in Stockholm since 1966.

The Ministry of Defence has a staff of 150: political advisers, officials, assistants, clerical officers, military advisers in military issues, etc.

The Minister of Defence, Mikael Odenberg, is head of the Ministry of Defence.

Political leadership

Subject to the overall authority of the Minister, ministry business is directed by the State Secretary.

The Ministry also has a Press Secretary and two Political Advisers whose job is to serve the Minister as political colleagues. This group is generally described as the Ministry’s political leadership. Unlike other Government Offices officials, ministers and political appointees leave their posts when there is a change of government.

Senior officials

There are two senior officials at the Ministry of Defence. These are the State Secretary and the Director-General for Administrative and Legal Affairs. The State Secretary is a member of the political staff, while the Director-General for Administrative and Legal Affairs is not a political appointee. The Director-General for Administrative and Legal Affairs sees to it that Ministry of Defence business is conducted properly and is responsible for the drafting of proposals for laws and other regulations. The Director-General for Administrative and Legal Affairs is also responsible for intelligence and preparedness issues and crisis management within the Ministry’s area of activities, for issues relating to incidents and violations of Swedish territory and for permission to enter Swedish territory.

Departments and secretariats

The Ministry’s day-to-day business is conducted by the various departments. The title given to a head of department is Director. The departments process business prior to Government decisions. They also take care of contacts with the agencies that are answerable to the Ministry and monitor their activities.

Ministry of Defence

Swedish Armed Forces

Swedish Defence Materiel Administration