Sweden-Australia: like-minded partners in an era of polycrisis

NSC was pleased to host a senior Swedish delegation of defence attachés and foreign service officials, as part of the College’s growing engagement with Nordic and Baltic partners on contemporary security challenges.

The engagement featured a robust panel discussion between NSC affiliates Rebecca Skinner PSM, Penny Williams PSM and Dr Euan Graham on designing national security strategy in an era of polycrisis.

Discussions explored the differences between continental and maritime strategic outlooks, practical collaboration across the Indo-Pacific, and how like-minded partners can strengthen strategic thinking in an increasingly complex global environment.

The visit also reflected growing momentum in Australia–Europe security cooperation following the announcement of a Security and Defence Partnership between Australia and the European Union on 24 March 2026. Conversations considered how trusted regional networks, economic resilience and support for the international rules-based order are becoming increasingly central to strategic stability.

One practical exercise challenged the Swedish delegation to draft a contemporary Australian national security strategy statement.

As noted by NSC Senior Policy Advisor Sharryn Parker, one key conclusion was that,

the Indo-Pacific is not distant – it is central, and Australia’s signal to uphold rules, deter coercion, and ensure that openness, not pressure, is critical in defining the region’s future.

The exercise also highlighted the importance of broadening national security conversations beyond government to include industry, communities and international partners.

Reflecting on the engagement, Lieutenant Colonel Jan Eldeblad, Swedish Defence Attaché to Australia and New Zealand said,

NSC helped us understanding more about Indo-Pacific in general and specifically from an Australian perspective.

The exchange underscored the value of dialogue between trusted partners navigating shared strategic challenges in an increasingly contested international environment.