Swedish coast guard to receive machine guns to counter security threats

The Swedish coast guard will be equipped with heavier weapons, including machine guns on some vessels, to address growing security risks, SVT Nyheter reports.

Civil defence minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin (Moderate Party) confirmed that coast guard personnel will also receive reinforced personal firearms. Currently, crews carry only handguns.

“In the immediate future—within the coming year—machine guns will be installed on several vessels, and additional support weapons will be procured for personnel,” Bohlin said. “This is necessary to meet the existing threat level against coast guard ships.”

The decision follows recent operations against vessels linked to Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, including the boarding of the sanctioned tanker Jin Hui on Sunday. The coast guard also plays a key role in protecting underwater cables in the Baltic Sea, which have faced repeated incidents in recent years.

Bohlin cited the deteriorating security situation in the region, noting that further advanced equipment—such as drone defence systems—may be introduced later. “The security environment is not static; it has been worsening gradually,” he said.

The government tasked the coast guard last year with strengthening self-defence capabilities on its maritime platforms, a directive now being implemented.

“The coast guard is indispensable in a security landscape where the Baltic Sea faces heightened risks,” Bohlin added.