Sweden plans to spend 100 million kronor (approximately $10 million) on inspecting and upgrading civil defense shelters, according to AFP.
The country has 64,000 shelters—more than any other nation in the world—capable of accommodating around seven million people. Following Sweden’s accession to NATO in March 2024, the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) has intensified shelter inspections.
According to MSB, these shelters provide protection against blast waves and bomb debris, thermal radiation from nuclear weapons, radioactive fallout, as well as chemical and biological weapons. Additionally, the Swedish government will allocate extra funds to enhance emergency response capabilities in crisis situations, strengthen cybersecurity, and replenish medical supplies.
On Monday, MSB announced the launch of a large-scale project to modernize nuclear shelters, which is expected to take “two to three years.” Currently, work has already begun on 25 of the 80 largest shelters in the country. In 2025, the agency plans to replace filters that help protect shelter occupants from chemical and radiological threats.
