Swedish Armed Forces Seek Expropriation of Property on Muskö

The Swedish Fortifications Agency (Fortifikationsverket), acting on behalf of the Swedish Armed Forces, has today submitted an application to the Government of Sweden to expropriate a property located near Muskö Naval Base, Haninge Garrison. The property is situated at one of the approaches to the base and is uniquely positioned to strengthen the defence of Muskö Naval Base, particularly against drone threats. It is currently owned by an individual holding Russian citizenship.

Given the serious security situation, the threat posed by Russian drone capabilities, and the ownership of the property, the Swedish Fortifications Agency have requested that the property be expropriated in order to safeguard the Armed Forces' protected defence assets and Sweden's national security.

"Nothing is more important than Sweden's security. We are facing the most serious security situation since the end of the Second World War, and the threat to Sweden and the Alliance is real. Against this backdrop, the Swedish Armed Forces have instructed the Swedish Fortifications Agency to apply to the Government for permission to expropriate the property in question," says Lieutenant General Carl-Johan Edström, Chief of the Defence Staff.

The rapid development of Russian drone warfare has fundamentally changed the threat landscape facing Sweden and the Swedish Armed Forces. As a result, there is a need to take measures to protect Sweden against the threats posed by both airborne and maritime drones.

Located at the entrance to Muskö Naval Base is a property that is critical to the effective protection of Sweden's naval forces. It is the only site that is not at the disposal of the Swedish Armed Forces and is therefore the missing element required to establish an effective defence of Muskö Naval Base, particularly against drone threats.

The property is currently owned by an individual holding Russian citizenship who is assessed to pose a security threat to the Swedish Armed Forces. The Armed Forces' overall assessment is that the property must be acquired through expropriation from its current owner in order to protect the Swedish Armed Forces, Sweden, and NATO's protected defence assets.

"A strong defence is essential to our freedom. Unmanned systems can be employed in many different ways—for surveillance and intelligence gathering, as well as for direct attacks. That threat is real and must be countered, not least by establishing robust systems capable of detecting and countering drones around our military bases. The current security environment requires us to act and not accept the risks associated with the property's current ownership. The present situation does not benefit Sweden or NATO—it benefits Russia," says Lieutenant General Carl-Johan Edström.

The application has now been submitted to the Government Offices of Sweden for further consideration.