It was designed to be capable of countering hostile actions along the Swedish coastlines independently of local defence tasks.

The Swedish Kustflottan According to a decision in 1948, the Coastal Fleet would primarily consist of two squadrons, each with cruisers, destroyers, and large motor torpedo boats, along with a submarine and a mine flotilla.

[4] The command flag of the last Commander-in-Chief of the Coastal Fleet, Vice Admiral Frank Rosenius, was lowered on 30 June 1998.

In 1904, an Inspector of Naval Exercises at Sea (Inspektör för flottans övningar till sjöss) was added, also serving as the highest commander of the coastal squadrons.

From 1919 onwards, the positions of Highest Commander and Inspector of Naval Exercises at Sea were merged (SFS 1918:868), and the position of Highest Commander of the Coastal Fleet (Högste befälhavaren för kustflottan) was established, changed in 1931 to Commander-in-Chief of the Coastal Fleet (Chefen för kustflottan).