Avsiktsförklaring (Letter of Intent) om fördjupat samarbete mellan Sverige och Tyskland

LETTER OF INTENT

on bilateral defence cooperation

between

the Federal Ministry of Defence of the Federal Republic of Germany

and

the Ministry of Defence of the Kingdom of Sweden

The Federal Ministry of Defence of the Federal Republic of Germany, and The Ministry of Defence of the Kingdom of Sweden (hereinafter: Signatories)

The defence relationship between Germany and Sweden aims at building a pillar of stability in Northern Europe and beyond by strengthening co-operation.

Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine has fundamentally changed the security environment, continues to violate international law and the principles of the UN Charter and undermines European and global security and stability.

The security environment in Europe has deteriorated and security challenges are more complex than in decades.

Our interests, values, and principles are more than ever challenged by multiple means – political, economic, technological, military or hybrid – and both Signatories are convinced that fragility and instability in Europe’s neighbourhood would undermine our security and provide fertile ground for strategic competitors, as well as for terrorist groups, to gain influence, destabilise societies and pose threats to our security.

The German-Swedish defence co-operation promotes stability in the Baltic Sea Region, in Europe as a whole, and beyond.

Addressing global and regional security challenges requires close defence and military co-operation between the Signatories and their respective Armed Forces and Defence Administrations.

An enhanced German-Swedish security and bilateral defence co-operation aims to better meet common challenges of the 21st century.

Both Signatories emphasize that NATO and EU are key for Euro-Atlantic security and stability, reaffirm their commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty as well as the Treaty on European Union, and agree on the necessity to continue to strengthen the transatlantic link as well as NATO-EU cooperation.

Both Signatories also recall the common participation of Germany and Sweden in the EU, NATO, the UN, OSCE, Framework Nation Concept (FNC), European Intervention Initiative (EI2), and the Northern Group.

The Signatories declare their intention to deepen and increase the practical cooperation between them, their respective Armed Forces and other Defence Administrations by building on current co-operative activities and implementing new initiatives. Our objective is to work together more effectively and efficiently, strengthen interoperability and develop a shared understanding, in order to contribute effectively to NATO’s deterrence and defence, as well as to EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), and to deploy alongside each other in military operations when needed.

OBJECTIVES

The Signatories intend to develop areas of bilateral co-operation, complement and leverage existing efforts and structures, and to enhance their contributions to NATO and EU CSDP by promoting:

• strategic dialogue and exchange of views on security and defence issues; • NATO-EU co-operation and complementarity; • strategic foresight and information sharing on all levels; • situational awareness and possible responses to common threats in the Baltic Sea Region; • strengthened coordination of military and non-military activities as appropriate to detect and deter potential hostile acts, including hybrid activities, as facilitating coordinated responses to such acts in coordination with NATO; • co-operation in the field of innovation, technology and research and development; • co-operation in the field of defence strategic planning and capability development; • co-operation in the areas of armament, research, development and procurement of defence related materiel, and industrial co-operation; • co-operation in the field of training and exercise; • interoperability at policy and military levels; • the ability to conduct combined operations; • the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda as set out in the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and related resolutions.

MEANS

To achieve those objectives, the Signatories declare their common intention to conduct the following co-operation in particular:

• Establish and maintain suitable formats for regular meetings and information exchange, such as DPD meetings, MoU meetings, NAD meetings, staff talks; • Practical co-operation between their respective Armed Forces and other Defence Administrations; • Participation in education, training and exercises to demonstrate and strengthen interoperability and signal shared intent; • Consider exchange of personnel; • Harnessing research and development (R&D), defence capability development and armament co-operation opportunities bilaterally, in NATO, as well as in other multilateral fora; • Co-operation in multinational operations; • Enhance shared situational awareness on maritime security and seek opportunities for practical co-operation; • Coordination of strategic communication whenever beneficial and appropriate.

STATUS

This Letter of Intent does not establish a legally binding commitment between the Governments of Germany and Sweden under international or national law.

It will replace the Letter of Intent between the Signatories concerning the intensification th of bilateral defence cooperation signed on 29 June 2017 by the Ministers of Defence of Germany and Sweden.

th Signed in Stockholm on 5 March 2024, in duplicate in the English language.

For the For the Federal Ministry of Defence of the Ministry of Defence Federal Republic of Germany of the Kingdom of Sweden

Boris Pistorius Pål Jonson Federal Minister of Defence Minister for Defence