Features of defense strategy and military construction in Sweden
Swedish Navy in training. Photo by the Swedish Ministry of Defense
Sweden is fundamentally neutral and retains a non-aligned status. At the same time, much attention is paid to defense issues and the necessary measures of various kinds are being taken. Stockholm is conducting military construction and modernization of its armed forces, as well as developing cooperation with other countries for the purpose of common security. In addition, plans are being drawn up with an eye to the distant future.
In the recent past
From 1996 to 2009, Sweden revised its defense doctrine several times. The result was a major change in basic strategies and plans, a reduction in defense spending and a reduction in the army, the rejection of the draft, etc. In connection with all reductions, special attention was paid to international cooperation, with an emphasis on peacekeeping and humanitarian operations.
By the mid-tenths, the military-political situation in Europe had changed, and Stockholm reacted to this. Thus, in the wake of the Crimean events, fearing a "Russian threat", Sweden launched a program of expanded cooperation with NATO. In addition, there was a Swedish-Finnish plan to jointly strengthen the defense. It is worth recalling the events of the fall of 2014, when the Swedish Navy unsuccessfully searched for an unidentified submarine - and the subsequent organizational and financial measures.
Motorized infantry at the Northern Wind 2019 exercise.Photo by the Swedish Ministry of Defense
In 2015, Sweden adopted a new version of its defense doctrine. It provided for the restoration of the previous military budgets and an increase in the quantitative and qualitative indicators of the armed forces. It was also proposed to create new parts or restore previously disbanded ones. Expansion of international cooperation was envisaged for joint counteraction to Russia.
The implementation of the new plans quickly ran into a shortage of personnel. Because of this, already in March 2017, the Swedish army was forced to change the recruitment system again and return the draft. However, over the past time, such a manning system has not been able to solve all the problems, and the size of the army remains below the desired level.
The increase in defense spending made it possible to launch projects for the reconstruction of military facilities, incl. characterized by special complexity and courage. For example, in 2019, the command of the Navy moved to the Muskyo underground naval base. At the same time, a major overhaul of the base began, which continues to this day. Also in 2019 on about. Gotland rebuilt the base and the regiment, which had been disbanded in the mid-XNUMXs.
As a result of the events and events of recent years, all the main indicators of the Swedish armed forces have increased significantly. However, not all plans have been fully implemented. The defense budget has grown steadily and in FY2021. reached 71,2 billion kroons (approx. 7,8 billion USD). The number of armed forces, including units of territorial defense, has exceeded 50 thousand people, although current strategies require at least 60 thousand. Within the framework of several international agreements, cooperation is underway with the countries of Scandinavia, the rest of Europe and NATO.
New events
One of the main measures of military organizational development within the framework of the current doctrine is the restoration of units and subunits disbanded during the times of the reduction policy. The regiment's next restoration ceremony took place a few days ago, and new similar events are expected in the coming months.
On September 24, the “inauguration” of the restored K4 dragoon regiment took place in Arvidsjaur. The part with this name existed until the beginning of the XNUMXs, when it became one of the victims of the general reduction. The newly created regiment is intended to conduct active defensive and offensive operations in Arctic conditions.
Several more ceremonies are planned for the coming months, as a result of which the Swedish army will be replenished with new "old" units. Measures are already underway to rebuild two infantry regiments (I13 and I21), the Amf4 Marine Regiment and the F16 Air Base. All of them will begin service no later than the first months of next year. It is also planned to restore one artillery regiment, but the timing was not specified.
Fighter JAS 39. Photo from the Swedish Ministry of Defense
Another direction in the development of the army is the purchase of modern materiel, weapons and equipment of various kinds. In this case, Sweden tries to rely on its own strength, but does not avoid purchasing foreign products. This mixed approach has been used for a long time and generally pays off.
Swedish industry has expertise in all major areas. It supplies modern JAS 39 Gripen aircraft to the Air Force, and develops and builds ships for the Navy. In particular, work is underway right now on a new type of non-nuclear submarine A26. The ground forces also rely on their own industry, but some of the needs are covered with the help of foreign suppliers.
A curious example of such cooperation could be observed right now. At the end of May, the United States delivered the first Patriot PAC 3+ anti-aircraft system to Sweden. In the near future, they will be tested, after which they will enter one of the air defense units. A total of four batteries have been ordered. The imported equipment will enter service under the name Luftvärnssystem 103.
Plans for the future
Last week in the Swedish press appeared news about the possible emergence of a new military-political agreement. Sweden, Denmark and Norway will become its participants, and the necessary negotiations are already underway. Within the framework of such an agreement, the three countries will conduct joint exercises and together confront various threats. Naturally, in the context of a future international treaty, the notorious Russian threat and the need to defend against it are again mentioned.
A Visby-class corvette in the Muskyo underground dock. Photo Svd.se
Regardless of the emergence of a new "union", Stockholm plans to further build and develop its army. One of the main plans for the near future is associated with an additional increase in the number of personnel and the creation of new units. By 2025, the number of military personnel, incl. in territorial defense, they are going to bring up to 90 thousand. For this, first of all, the call will be doubled.
Rearmament and refurbishment programs will continue. In the short and medium term, they will continue to build equipment of relevant types for all branches of the armed forces. A number of new projects are also being developed, which will give the desired result in the distant future. Plans are being made for more distant terms. For example, it is planned to create or acquire a promising main tank, which will enter service in the thirties.
From smallest to largest
In the nineties, against the background of a general improvement in the military-political situation in Europe, Sweden decided to cut its army and reduce defense spending. For a decade and a half, such a policy made it possible to redirect funds to important projects in other areas and therefore was considered useful. However, all this led to a reduction in combat effectiveness, as well as to the risks of further degradation of the armed forces.
The design look of the promising submarine A26. Saab graphics
The events of past years and the general deterioration of the situation in Europe forced Stockholm to urgently reconsider its plans and return the defensive priority. The terrible and dangerous "Russian threat" helped to change the defense doctrine, as a result of which the army and the defense industry received the opportunity not only to maintain indicators at the current level, but also for further development.
Due to new opportunities in recent years, it has been possible to implement several important programs and solve some of the main tasks. The number and combat effectiveness are growing, modern models are being mastered, exercises are regularly held and international cooperation is expanding. At the same time, Sweden is making plans a little ahead. She intends to maintain the course she has taken, which will lead to a new improvement in the situation in the army.
Thus, in recent decades, the Swedish military and political leadership has changed its defense and security strategy twice. The first such change was in line with the current political course, but led to long-term negative consequences. The new changes provide for a return to full-fledged military development and are already showing positive results. However, the "Russian threat" remains and remains too powerful for Sweden - which means that the military still needs money and other assistance.
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