| Defence Staff | |
|---|---|
| Försvarsstaben | |
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| Active | 1937–1994, 2023–present |
| Country |  Sweden |
| Allegiance | Swedish Armed Forces |
| Branch | Joint |
| Type | Staff |
| Role | Operational, territorial and tactical operations |
| Garrison/HQ | Stockholm |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | LtGen Carl-Johan Edström |
| Chief of the Defence Staff | See list |
| Vice Chief of the Defence Staff | See list |
| Insignia | |
| Colour | &sq=Qlik&lang=&file=File:Naval_Ensign_of_Sweden.svg) |
| Service insignia m/1960 | &sq=Qlik&lang=&file=File:FMB.002145.jpg) |
The Defence Staff (Swedish: Försvarsstaben, Fst) is the Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces' staff body and command resource for military strategic command, mission dialogue and reporting to the Swedish government, as well as being responsible for the war organization's capability, availability and combat readiness. The latter with the support of the service branch commanders and the service branch staffs.
The Defence Staff was originally established in 1937 and was commanded by the Chief of the Defence Staff. Initially the tasks of the Defence Staff was limited to the overall military strategic and operational issues as well as to the central operational command of army forces. In 1961 a central operational command was added for the navy and air force.[1] The Defence Staff ceased in connection with the reorganization of the Swedish Armed Forces in 1994 and with the creation of the Swedish Armed Forces Headquarters. Between 2007 and 2022, the Ledningsstaben (LEDS) in the Swedish Armed Forces Headquarters was called the Defence Staff in English and was commanded by the Chief of Defence Staff. The current Defence Staff was established on 1 January 2023.
- ^ Försvarets traditioner 2015, p. 11