Conscription, the power of innovation and our specialized military capabilities; these were three points that made a big impression on a delegation of military representatives from Shape, NATO’s military headquarters for Europe, who visited Sweden last week.
Sweden’s accession to NATO means a stronger alliance. It also means that Sweden must contribute to the collective defense that makes us safer. During an intensive week, NATO’s military representatives at Shape received an overview of what Sweden brings to the alliance and a comprehensive grasp of Sweden’s operational environment and the capabilities and capabilities of the Swedish Armed Forces.
– What touched me most is how quickly Sweden has delivered and proven itself to be a full-fledged ally. How you have done it is something that the rest of the alliance can learn a lot from, said the British representative, Brigadier General Steve Kilvington.
Shape, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, is one of NATO’s military strategic headquarters where all NATO countries have a military representative, an NMR. Sweden’s representative is Brigadier General Anders Svensson.
“Proud of what we can deliver”
The visit began in Stockholm. After a mounted guard at the Royal Palace, the visitors were received at the Swedish Armed Forces Headquarters by Commander-in-Chief Michael Claesson.
I am proud to welcome you here and I am also proud of what we, as NATO’s newest ally, can deliver. In addition to our specialized capabilities, we also bring a geographical location that is strategically important and that NATO has previously lacked, said Michael Claesson.
The following day, visitors were guided through Musköbasen’s unique underground mountain facility and later demonstrated marine capabilities, including a violent landing, at Berga naval base.
The Swedish conscription system impressed
On Gotland, it was time for the Air Force, Army and Home Guard to show their capabilities. The Air Force demonstrated the preparation system where a TP 84 Hercules loaded with vehicles and personnel quickly receives a Jas 39 Gripen, which is being prepared for new missions.
The visitors were given an account of the island’s history and geostrategic location in the Baltic Sea. Gotland plays a crucial role in protecting shipping, air routes and other infrastructure in the Baltic Sea area.
I am incredibly proud to show you the capabilities and strengths of our ground forces. Being an ally means something to us. So does this island. We will always be here, never give up on it or any other part of Sweden. And we have some superpowers to use there, said Army Chief Jonny Lindfors.
One of the superpowers, which was also praised by several visitors, is the Swedish gender-neutral conscription system. At P18, the Gotland Regiment, they met conscripts who told them about their duties and everyday life in the regiment.
Being selected as a conscript is a big deal and something that will benefit you in the future, regardless of whether you continue to work in the Armed Forces or not. I am very grateful to be able to contribute and also to the personal development that conscription entails, said one of the conscripts who was shown around the newly built barracks buildings.
Adaptability and innovation were highlighted
The visit concluded at Amf 4, Älvsborg Amphibious Regiment in Gothenburg. The focus on the last day was Sweden’s important role in terms of logistical corridors and host country support, defense medicine, total defense and collaboration with civil society.
Sweden’s submarine capability, conscription system and rapid adaptability were some of the things that the visitors raised during the closing discussion.
I am very impressed by the speed, efficiency and mindset in the shift from a national defense to a NATO defense, said Canada’s representative, Brigadier General Dany Poitras.
Denmark’s Brigadier General Per Orluff Knudsen highlighted Sweden’s innovation capacity.
– Fantastic; the speed of delegation and collaboration to achieve results. That speed of relevance is very impressive, he said.
