On May 27, Sweden’s Minister for Civil Defense, Carl-Oskar Bohlin, visited one of the country’s most significant preparedness exercises to date — the nationwide civil defense simulation TOR, held at the Ågesta training facility in southern Stockholm.
The TOR exercise was a large-scale coordination event involving multiple actors within Sweden’s civil defense system, designed to test and strengthen national preparedness for critical societal disruptions. This year’s scenario focused on managing the aftermath of terrorist attacks and ongoing deadly violence during a twilight scenario — a term used to describe heightened threat levels and societal stress just before or during a major crisis.
“An exercise is almost always a scenario that may never occur exactly as planned — but that matters little,” said Minister Bohlin ahead of the event. “A well-executed simulation allows us to discover what works, what doesn’t, and helps build the muscle memory and institutional experience needed to respond when real crises strike.”
Purpose of the Exercise
TOR was developed to evaluate how well Sweden’s civil defense actors — including emergency services, municipalities, public authorities, and private infrastructure providers — can work together under pressure. The goal was to identify potential gaps in communication, coordination, and decision-making under extreme conditions.
Participants tested:
- Interagency coordination and crisis communication
- Legal frameworks and operational procedures under stress
- Functional interfaces between national, regional, and local authorities
- Emergency responses to evolving and complex threats
Bohlin emphasized that beyond theory and strategic planning, realistic training is essential for creating a resilient society. He regularly visits such exercises to observe operations and gather insights that can be fed back into Sweden’s broader Totalförsvaret (Total Defense) strategy — the integrated system combining military and civilian efforts to defend the country.
“Those who are well-trained are prepared,” Bohlin noted. “Exercises like this are crucial puzzle pieces in strengthening our total defense.”
Connection to Veterans Day
The same day, Bohlin also participated in Veterans Day ceremonies alongside Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Foreign Minister Tobias Billström, and Minister for Gender Equality Paulina Brandberg. The event honored Sweden’s veterans who have served in both military and civilian missions at home and abroad.
“We honor those who served Sweden in various operations over the years. Your contribution to our country is invaluable and deserves recognition — not only today, but every day,” Bohlin stated.
Looking Ahead
As Sweden deepens its integration with NATO and strengthens its position within the EU’s security structure, national preparedness remains at the forefront of policy. Exercises like TOR represent not just response rehearsals, but a cultural shift toward proactive resilience.
In an era of hybrid threats, cyberattacks, disinformation, and geopolitical instability, Sweden is continuing to invest in its ability to withstand and recover from crises. The TOR exercise serves as both a test and a reminder: the better we train, the stronger we stand.
Rauf Pen Nord