Major General Gunnar Åke Karlson is a retired Swedish Army officer. Karlson's senior appointments include regimental commander of Gotland Regiment, Chief of Training and Procurement and Director of Military Intelligence and Security. He retired from active service in April 2019.

The Director of Military Intelligence and Security is a three-star role within the Swedish Armed Forces, responsible the Swedish Military Intelligence and Security Service. The Director of Military Intelligence and Security is part of the Defence Board, a group of the Supreme Commander's top commanders. The currect director is Lieutenant General Thomas Nilsson.