During 2023, section II (naval warfare) and section III (air warfare) of the Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences have conducted a study on the development of Swedish A2/AD capability. This work has been inspired by an article by the fellow Carl Bergqvist in the magazine Tidskrift i Sjöväsendet 6/21, where he claims that Sweden already has the components to establish her own A2/AD concept. The result of this study was presented on the Academy’s fall symposium 25 October at Saab’s main office in Stockholm, which was held under the headline “A2/AD and IAMD – locomotives in the development of combined joint multidomain operations”.
The symposium was opened by Saab’s deputy CEO Anders Carp, our Academy’s President Björn von Sydow and the Chairman of section III Lieutenant Colonel Göran Pettersson. The keynote speaker was the Swedish Chief of Joint Operations Lieutenant General Carl-Johan Edström who gave Integrated Air and Missile Defence strategic and operational perspectives. The next speaker was the fellow of section II Captain (N) Jon Wikingsson, who presented the result of the A2/AD study. Saab’s CMO Fredrik Follin offered a simulation of how naval and air assets can build a tactical picture and engage the enemy’s missiles, ships and air forces.
Aerospace strategist Brandon Eickhoff from US EUCOM J5 together with Lieutenant Colonel Anders Lundin, Swedish Air Staff A5, and Lieutenant Colonel Magnus Stegmark, Swedish Joint Force Command J5, offered further perspectives on IAMD from strategic, operational and tactical levels. The three speakers discussed what IAMD is, and what it is not, and made it clear that the operational level needs to command, control and coordinate the actions of the services. Finally, the moderator and Vice chairman of section II Captain (N) Per Edling concluded the symposium:
Conclusion
Sweden is currently exposed to three forces: becoming an alliance member, changing military geography and openly aggressive adversaries posing new threats. To cope with this force field a mental shift in the Swedish society, including the armed forces, is necessary. This mental shift doesn’t come by itself. There needs to be a broad and deep discussion. Hopefully this fall symposium can be one contribution.
When we initiated this symposium, we wanted to know if A2/AD and IAMD could work as locomotives in the development of combined, joint, multidomain operations. It has been made clear they can be one driving factor. The necessary integration between the different assets needs to include connectivity and other equipment matters, but also procedures, training and exercises. These exercises should be combined and joint, have high priority and be conducted on various levels. It is also clear that important questions such as the protection of civilians, endurance and sustainment need to be analysed further.
I would like to thank Saab and Mr Anders Carp for the warm hospitality, the speakers for their interesting contributions and the audience both for tricky questions and support to the presenters.
Finally: Mr President, our Academy is divided in to six sections. Is it really so wise, from a multidomain perspective?
During the spring of 2024 sections II and III will issue a final report of their work in KKrVAHT under the headline “Avreglingszoner – draglok i utvecklingen av gemensamma multinationella operationer?” Until then please enjoy the article posted by Mr Eickhoff on the webpage of U.S. European Command. https://www.eucom.mil/article/42613/royal-swedish-academy-of-war-sciences-hosts-iamd-dialogue-with-useucom.
