Sweden Plans New Foreign Intelligence Agency

The Swedish government is pressing ahead with plans to set up a new foreign intelligence agency after criticism that security services failed to anticipate Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, despite signs of military preparations.

The creation of the civilian agency, which will report directly to the government, was proposed by a public inquiry and given preliminary approval last year.

Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said the worsening security situation and increasingly complex threats required stronger capabilities. She also said Sweden, as a NATO member, had to adapt its intelligence structure to better align with its allies.

The new agency is intended to complement existing bodies, including the Military Intelligence and Security Service (MUST), the Swedish Security Service (SAPO), which is part of the police, and the National Defence Radio Establishment (FRA), which focuses on signals intelligence.

The agency is estimated to cost about SEK 2.8bn ($290m), with funding to come mainly from transfers from the armed forces budget. It is due to be operational by the end of the year.

(reuters, bak)