Karin Enström, Stockholm

From neutrality to active international solidarity The Swedish path towards a modern defence force

by Karin Enström, Minister of Defence, Stockholm

Today's security challenges are dynamic and complex. While some threats are traditional in nature, others are not limited by the boundaries created by states or institutions. Dealing with a security environment of growing complexity requires broad and flexible capabilities. No country in Europe can meet these challenges alone. Sweden’s integration into Europe accelerated during the 1990s and our accession to the EU symbolises how we became one of the most globalised countries.

New international responsibilities The successive interconnectedness with Europe and other partners implied new responsibilities for Sweden, including for security in our region and for our interests abroad. In the early years of the new millennium, it became clear that the concept of neutrality that had characterised Swedish defence policy during the cold war was no longer compatible with or relevant to our situation. Consequently, Sweden abandoned the route of neutrality and chose to embrace solidarity, cooperation and building security with our Nordic neighbours, and with our European and transatlantic partners. Although Sweden is still militarily non-aligned, threats to peace and security are managed in partnership and cooperation with other countries and organisations. The most significant manifestation is the Swedish Solidarity Declaration stating that: Sweden will not remain passive if another EU Member State or Nordic country suffers a disaster or an attack. We expect these countries to act in the same way if Sweden is similarly affected.

From pure home defence to operational strategy The reform of Sweden’s defence from a territorial defence, shaped by the threat of invasion during the cold war, to an

Karin Enström has been Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of Sweden since 2012. She was born in 1966. She studied at the Swedish Royal Naval Academy, Karlskrona (1985–1987), the Swedish Royal Naval War College, Berga (1988) and the Swedish Royal Naval War College, Näsby Park (1993). Before taking up her current post, she was Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Swedish Parliament (2010-2012) and Chair of the Swedish Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (2012–2012). Previous parliamentary positions include Chair of the Swedish Defence Committee (2008-2012), Member of the Defence Committee (2002–2010), Deputy member of the Committee on Social Insurance (2002- 2006) and Deputy member of the Committee on Justice (2000–2002).

operational defence adapted to current threats, was a necessity. We need a defence that, unlike the old model, can be rapidly deployed, when and wherever needed. The security policy outlined in the national defence bill of 2009 requires an accessible defence system adapted to the current threats. Consequently, Sweden is in the midst of an historic and radical defence reform. Evolving from a territorial defence in which quantitative numbers mattered more than quality, the reform will lead to a usable and available military more capable of meeting current and future challenges. It will further strengthen Sweden’s contribution to international peace and security, as well as its ability to respond to threats at home and beyond.

The defence reform The defence reform is the sum of several parts. Changing our manning system is pivotal. The new defence is based on a

The Swedish Gripen fighter aircraft participated in the crisis-management operation in Libya

Photo: Billy Johnston/U.S. Air Force

single set of forces and voluntary recruitment, and consists of standing and reserve units with high readiness. With the reform, we now have a system of officers, non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and other ranks in place that is much like that of other countries’ armed forces.

The transformation of the manning system is aimed at creating a military force capable of acting at short notice, on our own territory, in our vicinity or globally. All operational forces, except the Home Guard, will be able to deploy abroad. Availability, usability, flexibility and modularity are the key features of our new defence. Another important part of the reform involves changes in logistics and support functions to the Armed Forces, and a new strategy for procurement.

The upgrade to the next generation of the Gripen fighter jet is an example of the new procurement process. We will upgrade an existing, strong and cost-efficient system – Gripen – and we will do so together with a partner country, Switzerland. In developing the capabilities for conducting international crisis management, or in developing our own national defence capability, we strive for cost-effectiveness and efficiency. Whether in a Nordic context, within the EU or as part of the Smart Defence initiative in NATO, the aim is to increase our capability in order to deliver effects.

The Connected Forces Initiative Sweden’s land, maritime and airforces, supported by the Armed Forces Logistics Organisation, have a significant capacity for autonomous and effective joint action, concluded a recent international assessment of Swedish defence. After restructuring, re-equipment and modernisation, Sweden’s land forces will be able to contribute to the full range of missions inside Sweden or elsewhere. This confirms that our reform is going in the right direction.

Sweden continues to shoulder its responsibilities Sweden is constantly seeking new avenues for strengthening cooperation. In 2015, for the third time, we will act as the framework nation for one of the EU battlegroups, the Nordic Battlegroup. Finland, Norway, Estonia and Ireland will also participate, just as they did in previous Nordic Battlegroups, and we are pleased to have Latvia and Lithuania on board this time. Our joint commitment strengthens the military cooperation in the Nordic-Baltic region. Balancing the demands of taxpayers to spend money wisely with the need to protect national interests and to cooperate and exercise with partners represents a challenge for every government. My government has chosen to uphold responsibility as a guiding principle: responsibility to our taxpayers, troops and veterans, and to international peace and security, in solidarity with our Nordic neighbours and the EU Member States.

Swedish combat aircraft at the top

Interview with Håkan Buskhe, CEO, Saab, Stockholm

TheEuropean: Mr Buskhe, you are President and CEO of Saab, a defence, security and aeronautics company with Swedish roots. What is the history of your company? Håkan Buskhe: Our company was founded in 1937 at the behest of and on the basis of a resolution adopted by the Swedish Parliament, which makes the company rather unique. With the Second World War looming and the hard times ahead, the Parliament decided that the country needed its own capacity for the production of fighter aircraft. Thus we started during the war the production.

TheEuropean: Do you export your flagship, the Gripen? Håkan Buskhe: Yes, we are now in the 2nd generation of Gripen and are developing the new Gripen version, called the Gripen E/F. We have sold the Gripen aircraft to five countries: South Africa, Thailand, Hungary, the Czech Republic and of course Sweden, and the test pilot school in Great Britain is using the Gripen for end flight evaluation and training. In total we have built around 270 Gripen, of which some 100 are currently in service within the Swedish Air Force and 66 in the other user countries.

TheEuropean: The Gripen is an excellent fighter aircraft but fairly inexpensive. How come? Håkan Buskhe: We have an extremely good aircraft that compared to our competitors’ products is above all extremely costeffective. And I think that this is the future for everyone: we need a product that can “win the war”. We cannot compromise on quality but at the same time we cannot make our nations bankrupt by building excessively expensive products. This is how you put the industry in the right context with respect to society – we are here to help.

TheEuropean: Finally, I would like to turn to a political issue regarding the EU's work on Centres of Excellence and the consolidation of supply and demand. What do you think about this? Håkan Buskhe: As I understand it, the EU is among other things encouraging the establishment of Centres of Excellence. But this mean that the politicians would be the ones to decide where production is to take place, which to me is reminiscent of the economic policy of the former Eastern Bloc. I am attached to the idea of free trade and open competition based on a Level Playing Field, which for me is the best way to find out where such “excellence” is located and to determine who should produce what, including on the European defence market. The EU’s and the Commission’s job should rather be to foster better conditions for competition.