FRA, brief presentation

Försvarets radioanstalt (FRA), or the National Defence Radio Establishment as it is officially rendered in English, is the Swedish national authority for signals intelligence.

FRA is also engaged in information assurance. On demand, we support government authorities and state owned companies regarding current IT threats as well as general advice to improve security.

FRA is a civilian organisation, subordinated to the Ministry of Defence. Funds for 2008 are SEK 562 million. Oversight is provided by the Defence Intelligence Commission.

FRA is led by a Director General assisted by a Deputy Director General and central functions for coordination and planning. The line organisation consists of seven divisions: COMINT, ELINT, Information Assurance, Systems Development, Systems Maintenance, Personnel and Administration.

FRA main customers are the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Defence and the Military Intelligence And Security Directorate (MUST).

Fixed sites on Swedish territory are complemented with a SIGINT ship (Orion) operating in the Baltic, and two Gulfstream IV aircraft capable of extended missions. The ship is run by the Swedish Navy and the aircraft by the Air Force, both on behalf of FRA, whose operators are doing the collection.