The New Swedish Armed Forces - A Necessary Shift of Focus

Summary of Fhleming Christensen's article in RSAWSPJ no 6 2001.

The article is Fhleming Christensen's inaugural lecture presented to the Army Section of The Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences, presented on 13th June 2001.

The Swedish Armed Forces are currently undergoing a radical restructuring process where the focus is no longer on repelling an invasion but on creating a more flexible, adaptable and network-based organisation.

The ongoing internationalisation has, in addition, a considerable effect on Sweden’s present security and defence policy. International commitments and obligations within the EU and NATO’s Partnership for Peace, are crucial factors in deciding the requirements as regards military organisation, training, and preparedness. This new emphasis is often seen as conflicting with the ability and necessary preparedness to defend the country in case of a conventional invasion. This is unfortunate since our Armed Forces, eager to carry out all tasks equally well, are unable to concentrate on and give priority to the most likely, or worst-case scenarios.

The Swedish Armed Forces should therefore decide on a shift of focus, concentrating all efforts to bring them into line with official Swedish security policy - organising and producing units for international missions. This should not be to the exclusion of such other tasks as have been given to the Armed Forces by the Swedish Government and Parliament. But there has to be a necessary adjustment as far as planning, arms procurement, training and preparedness of Swedish units are concerned in order for them to be able to successfully participate in international Peace Support Operations including Peace Enforcement.

There is no reason to do away with compulsory military service. On the contrary; not only does the system produce one of the world’s best organisations for Peace Support Operations, it also constitutes a prerequisite for our military capability to meet new threats, including repelling an invasion.