The Chief of the Defence Staff is the second most senior uniformed member of the Swedish Armed Forces and heads the Defence Staff. The Chief of the Defence Staff is the chief of staff of the Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces.

The Supreme Commander is the highest ranked professional military officer in the Swedish Armed Forces, and is by NATO terminology the Swedish chief of defence equivalent. The Supreme Commander is the agency head of the Swedish Armed Forces and formally reports to the Government of Sweden, though normally through the Minister for Defence. The primary responsibilities and duties of the Supreme Commander are prescribed in an ordinance issued by the Government.