Swedish conscripts open to NATO missions abroad but prefer Nordic region

The Swedish government is examining whether conscripts could be deployed on NATO missions outside the country’s borders, with some recruits expressing willingness to serve in nearby Nordic nations but reluctance to go further afield, SVT Nyheter reports.

Under current rules, fully trained conscripts with wartime assignments could be sent abroad in Sweden’s vicinity for defence purposes in times of war or heightened alert. Now, the government is also investigating whether conscripts—including those still in basic training—could be deployed on NATO operations during peacetime.

When asked by SVT during Tuesday’s conscription assessments in Stockholm, some recruits shared mixed views. Edvin Örtqvist said he would consider serving “maybe in other Nordic countries, but not anywhere else.”

The proposal comes as Sweden continues its military integration with NATO following its 2024 accession. The government has not yet outlined specific conditions or timelines for potential deployments.