• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Sweden Armén / Swedish Army
Brigaderna är arméns - Brigades

Before the Second World War every regiment was a wartime organisation. This was changed to a brigade system, where every regiment was responsible for raising one brigade. The brigade being the unit used in the field army while the regiment was used for administrating the territorial defence units as well as being a depot for the brigade. Brigades were units intended to be raised in Wartime, but in 1994 they were ordered to be organized on a Cadre basis also in peacetime.

The Defence Resolution for 1997-2001 was divided into two phases, with Bills being presented in autumn 1995 and autumn 1996. The army's peacetime organization was to include 13 army brigades. But the Life Grenadier Brigade (IB 4) in Linköping, the Älvsborg Brigade (IB 15) in Borås, and the Lappland Brigade (NB 20) in Umeå were disbanded.

The defence decision of 2000 finally killed off the infantry. In the numbering of Armored Regiments, former Infantry Regiments kept their number with few exceptions when converted to Armor. So there never was any P8-P9 or P11-P17 Regiment, for instance.

The brigades were the Army's most powerful units. The brigades consisted of each about 5000 men and were composed of a variety of different units to suit the terrain they are designed to operate in. In the new organisation a number of changes took place which were complete by the year 2000/2001.

The changes taking place were the following:

• The armored brigades were reorganized into mechanized brigades.
• The new mechanized brigades were organized in two types: Strv 121(104)/ Pbv 302 (7:th Mech, 8:th Mech, 10:th Mech, 18:th Mech) and Strv 122/ Strf 90(CV 90) (9:th Mech, 19:th Mech)
• Infantry brigades were organized into two types as well: Pbv 501 (16:th Inf, 2:nd Inf, 16:th Inf) and Strf90(CV 90)/Pbv 302 (1 Inf Life Guards).
• The Arctic Brigades were organized as: Pbv 401 och Strf90 (CV90) (15:th AR, 13:th AR, 21:th AR).

The armored brigades were the Army's most powerful brigades. They were primarily designed to operate in lightly wooded and open terrain, which exists in the norther most and central parts of Sweden. The brigades fighting units were entirely mechanized and utilizes the latest equipment. The brigade included the following weapon systems:

• Strv 122
• Strf 90(CV 90)
• PvRbbv551
• LvRbbv701

The mechanized brigade was generally similar to the armored brigade in organization and material. Although the mechanized brigade was primarily designed for attacks in more wooded areas with some open areas and delaying battles. The brigade was specialized in attacks against air assaults. The brigade included the following weapon systems:

• Strv 121/(104 on Gotland)
• Pbv 302
• PvRbbv551
• LvRbbv701

The infantry brigades were mechanized by purchasing Pbv 501 and deliveries of strf 90(CV 90). The brigades were designed for fighting in lightly and heavily wooden areas. They were trained for combat in any weather and visibility conditions and can be deployed anywhere in the nation. The brigade had considerable firepower (AT-missiles, assault guns/light tanks, recoilless rifles and AT guns), good mobility (APC:s) and high stamina. The brigade included among the following weapon systems:

• Pbv 501/(strf 90, Pbv 302)
• Bv 206
• Ikv 91
• Rb 55/56
• LvRb70

The arctic brigades were essentially an infantry brigade specialized in arctic warfare. The brigade had more tracked vehicles and nowadays, Pbv 401 and they were equipped to make long and surprising terrain movements, both on snow and on bare ground. They were specifically able to do battle in areas with little or no roads. The brigade included the following weapon systems:

• Pbv 401
• Strf 90(CV 90)
• Bv 206
• Rb 55/56
• LvRb70

The Småland Brigade (Infantry Brigade (IB) 42 and later IB 12), the Color based on the Coat of Arms of the Brigade which in turn was based on an older provincial Arms of Småland was presented by the Commander of the Southern Military district Lt.-Gen. Sven-Åke Jansson on 15 March 1997. The Brigade was one of the War units to be raised by I 12 and was made independent on 01 July 1997 and disbanded on 30 June 2000.

The Älvsborg Brigade (IB 45 and later IB 15), the Color based on those of the parent Regiment I 15 with the addition of the Lion from the Arms of Västergötland was presented by the Supreme Commander Gen. Owe Wiktorin in 1995. The Brigade originated in the War Regiment Västgöta Regiment I 45 (K) raised by I 15 in 1941 which in 1951 was reorganized in to the Älvsborg Brigade. On 31 December 1997 the Brigade was disbanded and the Color was transferred to the Army Museum.

The Lappland Brigade (IB 50, Norrland Brigade (NB) 50 and NB 20), the Colour based on the I 20 Colour was presented by HM King Carl XVI Gustaf at the Stockholm Royal Palace on 10 November 1995. The Brigade originated as the War Regiment the Lappland Regiment I 50(K) raised by I 20 in 1941. In 1951 the Regiment was reorganized into the Lappland Brigade which became independent on 1 July 1994 and disbanded on 30 September 1997. Upon disbandment the Brigade Color was transferred to I 19 which was to keep the traditions of the Brigade.

The Ångermanland Brigade (IB 51, NB 51 and NB 21), the Color based on the provincial Arms of Ångermanland with the shield of the provincial Arms of Medelpad in the Canton was presented by the Acting Commander of the Army Maj.-Gen. Lars G. Persson on 24 July 1996. The Brigade originated as the War Regiment the Ångemanland Regiment I 51(K) raised in 1941 by I 21. In 1951 the Regiment was reorganized into the Ångermanland Brigade which was made independent on 1 July 1994 and disbanded on 30 June 2000.

The Skaraborg Brigade (9th Armored Brigade, PB 9 and Mech Bde 9), the Color based on the P 4 Colour with addition of the Insignia of the Armoured Troops was presented by HM king Carl XVI Gustaf on 22 September 1995. The Brigade originated in 1937 when the Field Unit the Skaraborg Regiment I 9(K) was organized. In 1943 the Regiment was reorganized as the 9th Armoured Brigade which in 1950 became the Skaraborg Brigade. On 1 July 1994 the Brigade was made independent and upon the disbandment of the Mother Regiment on 31 December 1997 the Brigade was granted the double title the Skaraborg Regiment and the Skaraborg Brigade. On 01 July 2000 the Brigade was reorganized as the training unit the Skaraborg Regiment (P 4). The Brigade Color then become the Color of the new Regiment.