Interest in the National Guard is growing in both Denmark and Sweden.
Our Correspondent's
Both the Swedish and Danish National Guards are increasing at a rapid pace. The leader of the Swedish National Guard, Mattias Ardin, expresses in the newspaper Sydsvenskan that the increased interest shows a high will for defense.
The National Guard serves as an additional resource for society in the event of natural disasters, accidents or other threats. The units are made up of volunteer citizens who serve a few days or weeks a year, according to the Armed Forces.
Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, interest in the National Guard has increased and the Swedish force has been reinforced by 2.500 soldiers, according to the TT agency. The head of the National Guard, Matthias Ardin, believes that the number could be even higher. He explains that they have not been able to accept everyone who wanted to serve and that is why the recruitment process needs to be made more efficient. In total, there are currently 22.610 Swedish National Guardsmen, while the goal is to reach 26.000 by 2030.
To facilitate those candidates who have not done military service, investment is now being made in shorter “Voluntary Military Training” programs in various regions. Military service or training is generally not required to serve in the National Guard, but is required for a combat position. The National Guard will also be modernized and is in the process of replacing most of the units’ equipment.
The biggest increase since the Cold War
In parallel with the developments in Sweden, the will to defend is also increasing on the other side of the strait. Last year saw the largest increase in the number of new recruits to the Danish National Guard since 1983. Hans Andersen (Venstre), politically responsible for the Home Guard, describes in a press release that there is now a greater influx of volunteers than during the invasion of Ukraine. In 2025 alone, 2.314 Danes declared their participation in the National Guard, a 43% increase compared to last year, according to TT. Denmark's goal is to have 20.000 volunteer soldiers by 2028.
