The Commander of the Swedish Home Guard, Major General Mattias Ardin, is among the speakers at this year’s Forsvarskonferansen – Nordic Defence and Security Conference.
Major General Mattias Ardin took up his current position as Commander of the Swedish Home Guard in January 2026, after serving as Deputy Commander since 2023. He has a long and distinguished career in the Swedish Armed Forces, with extensive experience in national defence, strategic planning and international operations.
Among his previous roles, Ardin served as Commander of the Gotland Regiment and Regional Command Gotland, where he played an important role in rebuilding Sweden’s military presence on the strategically significant island. He has also served as Chief of the Home Guard Department and held several senior positions at Swedish Armed Forces Headquarters.
Internationally, he has served in both Kosovo and Afghanistan, including as Chief of Staff of a British-led Provincial Reconstruction Team in Mazar-e-Sharif.
At Forsvarskonferansen, Major General Ardin will take part in a session addressing some of the key challenges facing the Nordic countries as they strengthen their defence and preparedness.
Together with Major General Frode Ommundsen, Head of the Norwegian Home Guard, and Major General Gunner Arpe Nielsen, Commander of the Danish Home Guard, he will discuss:
What are the Nordic military requirements, and what are the expectations for civil-military cooperation? How can we increase speed in boosting operational capacity?
The discussion will address the need for increased operational capacity and the role of closer cooperation between military and civilian actors. As the Nordic countries continue to strengthen their defence capabilities, industry, infrastructure and civil society will all play important roles in building resilience and preparedness.
The session brings together two senior military leaders with extensive experience from national defence and the development of the Home Guard in Sweden and Norway.
Forsvarskonferansen – Nordic Defence and Security Conference brings together representatives from the armed forces, industry, government, academia and other key stakeholders to discuss the future of defence and security.