Boden får nyckelroll när Sverige stärker värdlandsstödet

Sweden’s membership in NATO brings new requirements for municipalities, government agencies, and businesses. To receive and support allied forces, functions such as transportation, supply chains, accommodation, and local coordination must operate effectively.

Through this collaboration, the Municipality of Boden and Nordic Way Services will develop methods for how Host Nation Support can be organized in and around Boden. Host Nation Support refers to the ability to receive and support military units from other countries participating in exercises or operations in Sweden.

As a first step, the parties will map the resources, stakeholders, and structures within the municipality and the region that can contribute to future Host Nation Support capabilities.

Boden plays an important role in Sweden’s total defence

Boden has long held a central role in Sweden’s defence. The municipality’s importance has grown even further through Sweden’s NATO membership and the country’s responsibility as the framework nation for NATO’s Forward Land Forces in Finland.

“Boden has long played a central role in Sweden’s defence. We are now also taking on an increasingly important role in the collective defence of the Nordic region and NATO. Through this collaboration, we want to move from planning to practical capability and create solutions that work in reality,” says Béatrice Öman, Chair of the Municipal Executive Board.

Johan Johansson, CEO of Bodens Kommunföretag, highlights the importance of coordinating resources at the local and regional levels.

“For Host Nation Support to work in practice, local and regional resources must be mobilized and coordinated. Boden has the expertise, businesses, and geographical location that make it well suited for developing new ways of working,” he says.

Erik Nøklebye, Chairman of the Board of Nordic Way Services, and Béatrice Öman, Municipal Commissioner of the Municipality of Boden, sign the agreement on site in Visby.

Experience in logistics and coordination

Nordic Way Services provides expertise in strategic advisory services, coordination, and logistics solutions related to the needs of Sweden’s total defence. The company is owned by Wallenius Lines, part of the Soya Group, and operates across the Nordic and Baltic regions.

“Sweden’s role as a NATO member creates new practical requirements. Receiving and supporting allied forces is not only about military planning, but also about ensuring that transportation, supply chains, and local resources work together. We look forward to developing methods together with Boden that strengthen our overall capability,” says Erik Nøklebye, Chairman of the Board of Nordic Way Services.

The Letter of Intent involves no financial commitments

The Letter of Intent is not legally binding and does not involve any financial commitments for the municipality at this stage. Any future assignments or collaborations will be governed through separate agreements and handled in accordance with applicable legislation and municipal procedures.