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More than 25,000 officers have been “war placed” as the Scandinavian nation bolsters its national defences against potential threats. The order was given by the police chief at the end of January as every police officer is expected to know their role if a war or crisis should erupt. The decision to implement the Government order, which was taken in 2015 after Russia invaded Ukraine and illegally annexed Crimea, affects 28,500 police officers. Most of the officers will remain in their current roles and counties, even if an emergency situation should occur, however, some might be ordered to serve in the armed forces.

GETTY Swedish police have been ordered to prepare for a call to arms

Julia Simryd, the emergency management officer at the national operational department, said: “It is correct that the Police Commissioner had decided all personnel of the Police Authority should be war placed within the authority. “It means that our employees are expected to appear for duty in the event of heightened alert or war.” The order comes as Sweden has reinstated its coastal defences, which were disbanded in 2000, after defence chief Michael Bydén and Mr Hultqvist warned the threat from the nuclear superpower had increased drastically. Footage of Swedish military carrying out drills with a historic Cold War anti-ship missile systems emerged after military chiefs deployed 150 soldiers and tanks to Gotland Island, off the southern coast, to strengthen the external borders in September.

Inside the Russian Army Mon, January 9, 2017 A look inside the powerful Russian Army. Play slideshow REX/Shutterstock 1 of 50 Russian Special Forces: Exercises include taking full-force punches in the chest from their commanding officers without flinching

Our employees are expected to appear for duty in the event of heightened alert or war Julia Simryd

The artillery was brought out of retirement along with several Scania trucks, after being kept on display at a local museum since the end of the Cold War. Mr Hultqvist said: "It is extremely good that we have land-based coastal missile systems back in our national defence. It means that we can shoot anti-ship missiles from land over great distance. "It provides increased flexibility and capability in marine warfare. It increases military capability, and that's something we need. Sweden's parliament has approved an additional 6.2 billion kronor (£500million) to increase its defence capabilities in the five years to 2020 due to concerns over Russia's presence in the Baltic Sea.

In February it emerged Russian military had conducted a nuclear strike against Sweden during a series of war games. In a Nato report for 2015, Russian jets, during a dummy nuclear attack, approached Swedish airspace and conducted the mock strike. As Jens Stoltenberg, the secretary general of Nato, disclosed the disturbing information, leaked documents from army chief Anders Brannstrom before a meeting with Swedish defence management said war with Russia could hit the country in a few years. The report claimed Sweden should be ready for “armed battle against a qualified opponent” after more than 200 years of peace.

11 things you need to know about NATO Tue, February 14, 2017 NATO - The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an intergovernmental military alliance based on the North Atlantic Treaty which was signed on 4th April 1949. The organization constitutes a system of collective defence whereby its member states agree to mutual defence in response to an attack by any external party. Play slideshow Getty Images 1 of 11 Every member country, no matter how large or small, has an equal say in discussions and decisions. Photo shows: Signing the North Atlantic Treaty which marked the beginning of NATO, 1949.