Infrastructure and societal resilience in focus for new research project

A new research project led by the Swedish Defence University will investigate how infrastructure and crisis preparedness in Sweden and Finland are affected by NATO membership.

"We want to understand how NATO membership has impacted Sweden and Finland in terms of infrastructure. The idea is to examine how the two countries differ and what we can do together to achieve equal capabilities in defence and preparedness", says Per Skoglund, Senior Lecturer in War Studies at the Swedish Defence University and research leader for the project.

Infrastructure and supply chains that strengthen crisis preparedness

The project will also examine societal resilience in both countries. This includes understanding the critical infrastructure that underpins the flow of essential goods and services. Additionally, the project will highlight how infrastructure and supply chains can be restructured to enhance societal preparedness.

"Strong and stable supply chains strengthen society’s ability to respond effectively if something unexpected occurs. This is a key aspect of NATO membership, where all member states must be able to withstand and recover from crises, disasters, and various types of attacks", says Per Skoglund.

Comparison between Sweden and Finland contributes to new knowledge

NATO membership has required Sweden and Finland to undergo a transition, where new requirements must be considered in relation to defence and societal preparedness.

"As new members, we need to study the consequences of NATO membership from a total defence perspective", says Per Skoglund.

He emphasises that the comparison between the two countries is a crucial part of the project.

"Swedish infrastructure is a current topic, particularly when looking at how well roads and electricity networks function and the challenges we face. The situation is similar in Finland. That is why the project also focuses on evaluating each country’s critical infrastructure and how it can be strengthened in response to rapidly shifting geopolitical conditions on the global stage."