Which similarities exist with regard to Danish, Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish strategic goals, operational requirements and present or planned capabilities? To what extent does this provide a ground for widened co-operation in order to increase the military capabilities of the countries concerned? To a large extent the strategic goals declared by the four countries differ. Norway prioritises crisis- and incident-management in its vicinity. Serious crisis or national defence will be handled together with allies within NATO. Denmark prioritises international operations together with NATO -allied. Finland prioritises primarily the ability to deter from, or if needed, to repel, a military attack. Sweden directs its military capabilities primarily at participating in international operations within the framework of UN, EU or NATO. An evident, and to all countries common, mission of their armed forces (for Sweden and Denmark the main mission) is to contribute to international peace and security. However, none of the countries rules out regional crisis management or territorial defence, even if in the Danish case the latter is seen as a very remote contingency. If so, for Norway and Denmark, this is a NATO-affair. Consequently, there is a ground for widened co-operation aimed at increasing capabilities in several areas, thereby better serving the strategic interests of the respective country. Of the Nordic countries, Finland is today leading as concerns such operational capabilities and competencies primarily defence . Norway and Denmark, through its alliance membership, have special competencies for working within NATO, which Sweden and Finland are lacking. Such compitencies would probably be indespensable for stabilisation operations (crisis management) in the Northern European region. Sweden and Denmark have capabilities and competencies, primarily linked to international operations, which could be of value to the other Nordic countries. Effective Nordic co-operation, aimed at increased operational capabilities, demands: a more common strategic perception regarding actual military challenges, internationally and in the Northern European region, based on common strategic goals, clear demands regarding operational capabilities needed in each country or possibly together, an increased harmonisation concerning doctrines, methods and equipment. As concerns Sweden, a more explicit position with regard to strategic goals and conditional operational requirements seems desirable. Within the sphere of international operations Sweden has competencies and resources that could be attractive in connection with increased Nordic co-operation. However, as concerns the ability to show solidarity in the Nordic vicinity by military means, as well as to defend the territory, a meaningful co-operation seems to imply certain alterations regarding. Swedish armed forces developments and types of exercises pursued.