Sweden Armén / Swedish Army - Reorganization
Defence Resolution for 1997-2001
The Defence Resolution for 1997-2001 was divided into two phases, with Bills being presented in autumn 1995 and autumn 1996. Three divisional headquarters and divisional units, and 13 army brigades were retained. The number of people in the territorial defence was reduced to approximately 90,000. The number in the home guard was increased to 125,000. Medium-range anti-aircraft defences were to be developed so that procurement can begin during the period 1997-2001. The Government proposed that the following be disbanded:
- the Lower Northern Division in Östersund, the Western Division in Skövde, and the Central Division in Linköping
- Defence District Headquarters in Ystad, Växjö, Kalmar, Gävle, Bor-ås, Linköping, Västerås, Östersund, Kiruna and Kalix
- the Life Grenadier Brigade (IB 4) in Linköping, the Älvsborg Brigade (IB 15) in Borås, and the Lappland Brigade (NB 20) in Umeå
- the Svea Artillery Regiment (A 1) in Linköping, the Norrland Artille-ry Regiment (A 4) in Östersund, the Skåne Air Defence Training Regiment (Lv 4) in Ystad, the Svea Engineers (Ing 1) in Södertälje, and the Svea Supply and Transport Training Regiment (T 1) in Linköping
Defense 2000
During the Cold War the organization of the Swedish Army was similar to that of many other armies, with Divisions consisting of Brigades and Battalions. During the 1990s, the organizational construct was increasingly focused on the maneuver Brigade [of about 5,000 troops] as the primary operational tactical unit, with the Divisions being phased out in the 2000 to 2004 timeframe.
However, at that time, the Swedish Army embarked on a new reorganization program, under the "Defense 2000" plan. While the old Division / Brigade scheme had been focused on maintaining Sweden's traditional posture of neutrality through a strong homeland defense capability, the new posture was focused on support to international peacekeeping operations. Most maneuver Brigades were inactivated, and while those that remained were transformed into training Regiments [of about 2,000 troops], providing training support to the various Battalions that were to be supplied to international forces.
The Government established a new focus for Swedish defence in its Bill "A functional defence" 2008/09:140, published 19 March 2009. The army would consist of permanent and contracted units. Only a small proportion of the soldiers would be employed fulltime. It should be possible to organise most of the army's forces in battle groups (seven of them). A battle group would be put together around a manoeuvre battalion, which comprises the core of a unit. Based on actual needs and tasks, the maneuver battalion would be built on, using different parts of other units, such as artillery, engineering or air defence units. This would result in significant cuts as the country moves from having six motorized battalions and two light motorized battalions, as well as an airborne and amphibious battalion to having a total of eight deployable battalions [seven Army and one Marine]. The new plan calls for a reduction in the number of tank units in an attempt to concentrate the military's resources in fewer places. Sweden's tank units are stationed in Skövde in central Sweden and in Revinge in Skåne in the south.
Swedish Defence - 2016-2020
In 2015 the Social Democratic Party, the Moderate Party, the Green Party, the Centre Party and the Christian Democrats agreed on a bill to parliament on the Swedish Defence covering the years 2016 to 2020. A Battlegroup Gotland would be organised in 2018. The Battlegroup would consist of a standing Mechanised Infantry Company and a reserve Armoured Company. In addition the Light Infantry Battalion would be reorganised to be able to be transported by air, allowing it to rapidly reinforce strategic areas including Gotland. Regional Command and Control assets for Gotland is being organised within existing Command and Control structures. The Home Guard on the island would be reinforced. It is important that frequent exercises with air defence assets on Gotland would be conducted and training and exercises would increase on and around the island.
The bulk of the land forces would be organised in two Brigades able to fight a high-intensity conflict against a qualified opponent. The land forces would be expanded with one Motorised Battalion, two Brigade Reconnaissance Companies and the Mechanised Battlegroup Gotland. The Light Infantry Battalion would be reorganised in order to be transportable by air. The land forces would primarily be manned by reserves complemented by personnel serving under the law of national service. To ensure sufficient availability in peace-time, two Mechanised Battalions and one Motorised Infantry Battalion would be standing units with a high number of professional personnel.
The land forces would consist of two Brigade Headquarters, two Brigade Reconnaissance Companies, five Mechanised Battalions, two Motorised Battalions, one Light Infantry Battalion, one Mechanised Battlegroup Gotland, two Artillery Battalions, two Air Defence Battalions, two Engineer Battalions, One Ranger Battalion, one ISR Battalion, one Security Battalion, one MP Battalion, one Life Guards Battalion, one CBRN Company, one Heavy Transport Company and 40 Home Guard Battalions.
During the period, the land forces would receive equipment on the personal- squad- and platoon-level, trucks, artillery, self-propelled mortars, additional bridge-layers, anti-tank weapons, new ground based short-range air defence systems and additional ammunitions. Upgrades of combat vehicles 90 and main battle tanks with their designated command and control would be initiated for the main part of the mechanised units. A new ground based medium range air defence system would be acquired for one of the two Air Defence Battalions. The other Battalion would receive the new system after the period. All main battle tanks would be brought into service in the mechanised battalions and the Battlegroup Gotland. This reorganisation would significantly increase the number of main battle tanks in the units compared to the present organisation.
In the most recent defense decision in June 2015, the Riksdag stated that "the majority of the army units must be organized in order to be able to operate as two brigades at a high level of conflict against a qualified opponent". Almost five years later, it was clear that that goal has not been met. According to the Defense Committee's final report Värnkraft, "there has not yet been a permanent organization of the military units in two brigades". In the most recent defense decision in June 2015, the Riksdag stated that "the majority of the army units must be organized in order to be able to operate as two brigades at a high level of conflict against a qualified opponent". Almost five years later, it is clear that that goal has not been met. After protracted negotiations between the S-MP government and the coalition parties C and L, the announcement was made in October 2020 that six new regiments would be established during the years 2021–2025. But even before the defense decision was hammered out in the Riksdag in December, SvD was able to report that the money might not be enough. Sharply increased costs for combat aviation can affect the regimental establishments.
Totalförsvaret 2021–2025
In the government bill ‘Totalförsvaret 2021–2025’ (Total Defence 2021–2025), the Government proposed 15 October 2020 a substantial increase of capabilities in both military and civilian defence. For geographical, emergency preparedness and training reasons, the Government is proposed that the Swedish Armed Forces’ organisation should be expanded with the re-establishment with a number of regiments and an air wing. The organisational units to be re-established are: the Norrland Dragoon Regiment (K 4) in Arvidsjaur; the Älvsborg Amphibious Regiment (Amf 4) in Gothenburg; Uppland Wing (F 16) in Uppsala; the Bergslagen Artillery Regiment (A 9) in Kristinehamn; the Dalarna Regiment (I 13) in Falun; and the Västernorrland Regiment (I 21) in Sollefteå, with a training detatchment in Östersund.
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