There are around 64,000 shelters in Sweden, which together can accommodate just over seven million people. Since many of these were built during the second half of the 20th century, they need to be upgraded to fulfill their function in the event of war or crisis.
The Swedish Civil Defence Agency (MCF) is responsible for inspecting the shelters. Around 2,000 shelters are inspected annually, but the pace will increase after the turn of the year, when the county administrative boards take over responsibility. At the same time, more money is being allocated for the work of inspecting and equipping them.
Well equipped
Now it can take several decades before a shelter is used, but that will change, says Henrik Larsson, acting head of the civil protection department at MCF.
According to Larsson, many of the shelters are well equipped to withstand a war like the one Russia is currently waging in Ukraine. Among other things, they can withstand shock waves from weapons weighing up to 250 kilograms and shrapnel, as well as the collapse of the building above. But there are other shortcomings.
There are greater shortcomings when it comes to chemical or nuclear weapons. But work is underway to upgrade them, including installing new filters, says Henrik Larsson.
Some of these can be explained by property owners installing fiber in their buildings and then drilling holes that were not sealed afterwards.
Lack of maintenance
People simply didn't think about it when there was no threat, says Henrik Larsson.
Other deficiencies relate to poor maintenance, such as ventilation systems being painted over.
The inspections of the country's shelters are taking place all over the country and are based on areas that the Swedish Armed Forces have identified as important for total defense. Gotland, Stockholm County, Norrbotten and the ports on the West Coast are some of the areas that have been inspected.
How long it takes to fix any deficiencies that are discovered depends on the extent, but also on the availability of materials.
The industry that manufactures the specific items needed has grown, so the work goes much faster now than before, says Henrik Larsson.
There are currently approximately 64,000 shelters in Sweden with space for approximately seven million people.
A shelter must be able to withstand blast waves and shrapnel, fire, ionizing radiation and debris from demolished buildings.
A protected space must be designed and equipped to provide reasonable protection against the effects of munitions that can be assumed to be used in war.
Source: Ministry of Defense
