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THE RENEWALOF

SWEDEN’S DEFENCE: PHASE 2

Unofficial shortened version of the Government DefenceBill 1996/97:4 passed by Parliament on 20 November and13 December 1996

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The new Defence Resolution- The renewal of Sweden’s defence continues

The Defence Resolution for 1997-2001 has been drawn up in a newway. It is divided into two phases, with Bills being presented in autumn1995 and autumn 1996. The first phase, passed by Parliament on 6December 1995, set out Government principles for security policy,defence policy, total defence objectives, and overall issues concerningthe shape, structure and economic scope of the defence system.

Key issues were a unified view of military and civilian defence(“total defence”), the new demand for adaptability in both the shortand long term in response to changes in the security situation, a new,broader definition of security to include severe peacetime emergencies,and increased focus on participation in international peace support andhumanitarian operations.

The guidelines for total defence drawn up by the Government canbe summarized in four key terms: adaptability, a unified view, a demo-cratic defence, and international commitments.

The Defence Bill’s second phase has been based on these guidelinesand on the 1996 security policy review, the Defence Commission’s In-ternational Change and Swedish Security Policy, and the plans drawnup by various authorities including the Armed Forces and the SwedishAgency for Civil Emergency Planning. In addition, a large number ofmunicipalities and professional and other organizations have contribu-ted useful opinions.

The second phase of the Defence Resolution has, like phase one,been worked out in close cooperation with the Centre Party. The SocialDemocrats and the Centre are in agreement on all aspects of the Reso-lution. The two parties are jointly responsible for the shaping of Sweden’stotal defence for 1997-2001, thereby guaranteeing broad parliamentarysupport across party political borders.

The economic framework set by Parliament in 1995 means a mode-rate saving of SEK 4 billion (4,000,000,000) kronor in annual defenceexpenditure compared with the 1994/95 financial year.

This ten per cent saving, which is to be achieved by 2001, is justi-fied by the enormous changes there have been in the security situationsince the end of the cold war, and by the not unreasonable demand thatdefence costs should be subject to the same stringent scrutiny as othersocial expenditure.

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These savings mean, among other things, reductions in the mili-tary war organization and peacetime organization. The war organiza-tion will consist of 13 army brigades, 24 (eventually 20) surface attackvessels, nine submarines, and 13 fighter aircraft squadrons, which willeventually be reduced to 12 JAS 39 Gripen squadrons.

The Government proposal for the peacetime organization repre-sents a balanced overall solution. In formulating the proposal for thestructure of the peacetime organization, two guiding principles havebeen the avoidance of uncertain investments and concentration on gar-risons that can easily be expanded.

In 1995 the Parliament decided that security policy reviews of theinternational situation should be carried out in 1996 and 1998. TheGovernment now proposes additional reviews.

The conclusions of the 1996 review were that armed attacks thatcould pose a threat to Sweden are unlikely; that uncertainty about inter-national developments increases the demand for adaptability; and thatno reasons exist for changing the direction of the defence policy. Fromthis the Government concludes that sufficient resources have been as-signed to the total defence, but that further savings cannot be proposedin view of the uncertainty about future developments.

The democratic popular defence is strengthened

The Defence Resolution is a well-balanced whole, and in importantrespects ground-breaking. The total defence system is organized in sucha way as to meet the needs of today and of an unpredictable future. Itwill provide a modern and adequate defence against the threats of thefuture, not of the past.

The total defence system shall deter attacks by foreign forces onour country, and shall repel them if they should still be made. At thesame time, the combined defence resources shall contribute to the pre-vention of severe emergencies in peacetime, and to overcoming them ifthey should still occur. The defence forces should also be able to parti-cipate in our international peace operations.

The new Defence Resolution makes the total defence system evenmore clearly an important social institution even in peacetime. Its de-mocratic nature is strengthened.

The ability of the total defence system to adapt to changing threatsis of fundamental importance for the security and safety of our land and

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people in an unpredictable future. Plans have already been drawn upfor raising war capability within a year.

Adaptation to a more serious situation in the longer term demandsgood analysis capacity, effective decision-making, planning and growthcapability, and the continuous upgrading of equipment. In order to safe-guard this the Government regards the following as essential:

• a review of the intelligence service• advanced research work• regular security policy reviews• an adequate national capability to supply defence materials• the retention of certain materials to be held in reserve• an army brigade, a patrol boat division and an aircraft squadron overand above what was set out in Parliament’s1995 policy statement• more officers than are necessary for the war organization.

The Government also proposes greater investment in defence technolo-gy. The Government maintains that it is of the greatest importance forboth the upgrading of defence materials now and in the supply of mate-rials in the future that Sweden and the Swedish defence industry arepart of an expanding international cooperation on defence matériel.

The civilian defence’s strength, effectiveness and ability to adaptare highly dependent on social stability and flexibility in peacetime.Therefore special emphasis will be given to improving robustness in themost important infrastructure areas.

The fundamental importance the Government attaches to a broaderdefinition of security and a unified view of defence is set out in moredetail in the Bill on Planning for Severe Peacetime Emergencies (1996/97:11), which the Government presented to Parliament at the sametime as the Defence Bill. The two Bills complement each other.

The democratic approach to defence is strongly connected in theminds of the Swedish people to the obligation to do national service,these days some form of total defence service, which in turn contributesto maintaining a strong will to defend ourselves.

Almost all men eligible for total defence service, where suitable,receive military or civilian defence training. This has averted the risk ofa weakening of the conscription-based defence.

The home guard and the voluntary defence organizations are anexpression of the depth and breadth of the democratic will to defend.The expansion and revitalization of the home guard and the upgrading

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of its equipment are important Government objectives.Peace support and humanitarian operations are among the most

important tasks for the defence forces and constitute an important partof our security policy and our work for peace and solidarity.

To strengthen the defence forces’ ability to carry out this task, theArmed Forces will establish an international command which will in-clude a rapid reaction force. The Swedish Rescue Services Agency isgiven responsibility for disaster relief and the protection and saving oflife, property and the environment, and for preparing civil relief forcesfor international missions. Training for peace support and humanitari-an operations are coordinated where appropriate.

Since the need for multifunctional peace support and humanitarianoperations will almost certainly increase, the unified view of militaryand civilian defence will increasingly also come to permeate the inter-national operations of the total defence system.

Sweden’s active participation in the Partnership for Peace (PFP)increases our opportunities to cooperate with other states in peace sup-port and humanitarian operations. The PFP is also increasingly impor-tant for security in the area around the Baltic Sea. A strengthening of allareas of security in the Baltic Sea region through European and interna-tional cooperation is in Sweden’s national security interest. Russia’sparticipation in the cooperation is important. Sweden will increase itssupport to the Baltic states and their defence forces.

Security policy and the end of the cold war

Sweden’s security policy situation has changed dramatically since theend of the cold war. Old threats to our national security have disappea-red or been reduced. New opportunities for Sweden’s security policyhave emerged. At the same time new risks and dangers to our land andpeople have arisen.

Sweden’s non-participation in military alliances with the aim ofmaking it possible for our country to be neutral in the event of a war inour vicinity remains unchanged. Through our non-participation and bymaintaining an adequate defence system, Sweden will continue to contri-bute to the security and stability in the area around the Baltic Sea and inNorthern Europe.

It is not possible today to draw definite conclusions about futuredevelopments. This uncertainty will remain for some time. Even though

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the risk of war between two superpower blocks has now disappeared,a number of regional conflicts which can threaten our security haveflared up.

Other factors also influence long-term security, such as environ-mental damage and water and food shortages. In Nordkalotten (the Arc-tic region of Scandinavia and the Kola Peninsula) there is what is pro-bably the world’s largest collection of nuclear weapons and nuclearwaste, which could pose a threat to the environment both regionallyand globally.

The UN is the only universal organization that can act globally. Atthe same time, however, the organization is undergoing a serious crisisas a result of several factors, including opposing interests among themember states, an inability to rationalize and revitalize the organiza-tion, and a financial crisis caused by certain member states, chief amongthem the United States, not paying their contributions.

The risk of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, biolo-gical and chemical as well as nuclear weapons, remains. The Agree-ment on Conventional Forces in Europe, the CFE Agreement, was re-viewed in May 1996. This grants Russia the right to place considerablymore heavy military material in its flank zones, something of immediatesignificance to the Baltic states in particular. Otherwise, the partieshave observed their side of the agreement, which has led to arms reduc-tion and a certain increase in openness.

The EU is of fundamental importance for European stability andsecurity. Through more permanent forms of cooperation between thenations and peoples of Europe, future conflicts can be avoided. In thiscontext the enlargement of the EU is crucial. It seems unlikely todaythat all the member states of the EU could agree on establishing a com-mon defence system, but the EU can play a greater role in humanitarianoperations and rescue services, crisis management and peace-keepingoperations.

The IFOR operation has placed NATO centre stage when it comesto large-scale peace support missions. At the same time, NATO’s abilityto adapt to new requirements is complemented by a sharper Europeanfocus. The IFOR cooperation and agreement on the direction NATOshould take underline the fundamental importance American politicaland military undertakings have for Europe.

It is important that the impending expansion of NATO does notcreate new dividing lines in Europe.

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)

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has been given a more definite role as a regional organization as descri-bed in the UN Charter, with clear conflict-preventing responsibilities.Sweden is working to strengthen the OSCE’s essential role in Europe.

Developments in Russia

Russian nationalism has intensified and a consolidation of its role as amajor power seems to have taken place. Cooperation with the west isincreasing, which is reflected in, for example, Russian participation inIFOR in former Yugoslavia. At the same time, Russian actions againstthe Baltic states, particularly Estonia, and in the Caucasus give causefor concern.

The authoritarian tendency in Russian politics raises question marksabout the future. The establishing of democratic institutions and judici-al, financial and other regulatory legislation is taking place relativelyslowly. This and the political uncertainty are affecting economic deve-lopment. There is a risk of reversals.

At the same time, problems remain for the Russian armed forces, inparticular the lack of economic resources and the lack of concrete plansfor restructuring. Training and exercises are very basic, morale is low,and it is difficult to enlist sufficient recruits.

The Russian armed forces receive very little new material. There isno shortage of modern defence materials in European Russia, a legacythat ought to last for very many years. But if things continue to developas they have done so far, the capability of the armed forces will gradu-ally worsen.

Most of Russia’s strategic submarines are based at the Kola Penin-sula in Nordkalotten. Open military conflict in the Kola region wouldlie dangerously close to the nuclear powers’ vital interests. Therefore itis unlikely that a conflict would begin in this area. In 1996 Swedentakes over the chairmanship of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council, whichis an important forum for many forms of concrete cooperation withRussia.

The intensification of Baltic cooperation

The end of the cold war did not lead to the stabilization of the securityand military situation in the Baltic Sea region. Consequently, Sweden isa driving force in the work to establish widespread cooperation within

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the political, economic, social and cultural spheres. The Council of the Baltic Sea States is acquiring an increasingly

important role in cooperative activities which include coastal surveil-lance, measures to improve the safety of nuclear power stations, andthe fight against international crime.

Baltic cooperation occupies a more and more prominent positionamong Sweden’s international commitments. The cooperation is of cru-cial importance in supporting the region’s stability and security.

The scope of the cooperation has continued to increase, and co-vers wide areas with broad points of contact at several different levels.The networks that are built up through cooperation and exchanges bet-ween governments, public authorities, non-governmental organizationsand private individuals create strong public support for the cooperationand help to increase understanding.

In order to support regional stability and security it is importantthat Sweden now also contributes to the expansion and intensificationof Baltic cooperation. It is also crucial to security policy that Russiatakes part in the cooperation.

Similarly, the further expansion of the PFP cooperation through theparticipation of all the states in the Baltic Sea region - particularly theBaltic states and Russia - would be an important confidence-buildinginstrument. Possible areas of cooperation with Russia could be peacesupport operations and PFP exercises, rescue services and environmen-tal protection, the fight against organized crime, the democratization ofthe armed forces, and officer training and re-training.

Sweden’s contribution to the security-enhancing cooperation hasbroadened in scope. From the early days of strengthening the Balticstates’ independence at a basic level - setting up structures and govern-ment authorities - Sweden’s support has moved on to consolidating anddeveloping on-going projects and activities.

Sweden’s contribution to the Baltic states has taken the form ofdonating radar stations and coastal vessels, all to strengthen coastal andborder surveillance. Sweden, the other Nordic countries and Great Bri-tain have trained modern military units in a joint Baltic Peace-KeepingBattalion (BALTBAT). Sweden also holds three-year training coursesfor naval officers and, from 1997, for army officers.

This and other contributions in the form of training and matérielcontribute to increase cooperation. This will be further broadened andintensified through environmental cleansing and the fight against orga-nized crime, illegal trade and smuggling.

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Two key areas are seen for continued cooperation. The first area isthe strengthening of the Baltic states’ border and coastal surveillance,which is important for a number of reasons. One reason is the fightagainst crime and smuggling; another is that as sovereign states theBaltic states must have control over their own borders. This security-enhancing support is an important element in Sweden’s support of theBaltic states’ efforts to join the EU.

The second area is the organization of the armed forces under civil,democratic control. Here an important role is played by the BALTBATproject, as well as by experts from the total defence system and thevarious voluntary organizations’ contributions.

It is obvious and of crucial importance to security and stability inthe Baltic Sea region that the Baltic states should continue to be inevery respect sovereign states with complete freedom to exercise theright to choose their own security policy solutions. But it must also bequite clear that Sweden cannot militarily guarantee the security of theBaltic states.

International commitments

Organizing the necessary resources and preparing for international ope-rations is - alongside the traditional tasks - one of the main tasks of thetotal defence system. The Government has made this quite explicit.

Both the military and civilian defence should be able to organizequickly for different international operations. Coordination with theother Nordic countries is desirable.

Sweden will continue to participate in peace-keeping operationsmandated by the UN and the OSCE. Peace-enforcement operations arealso possible in the future.

NATO, the EU, the WEU and the PFP are possible instruments forcooperation in peace support and humanitarian operations. IFOR hasbrought a new dimension to peace support. Sweden should develop itscapacity to work with NATO in this area.

Increased cooperation in the defence industry

Sweden will increase its cooperation with other countries on defencematerials. A domestic defence industry is in itself a security asset, butin order for it to be able to survive and maintain a high technological

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standard, there must be increased international cooperation.Swedish membership of the Western European Armaments Group

is also desirable. It would give a better overview of prioritized types ofmaterials and give both the defence authorities and the defence industrybetter and simpler opportunities for cooperation and coordination.Sweden would be able to exert some influence through being able totake the initiative, formulate cooperation agreements, etc.

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The renewal of Sweden’s defence

The duties of the total defence system are to protect us against armedaggression and to make resources available for peace-keeping and otheroperations. Total defence resources shall also be available to society inthe event of a severe emergency in peacetime.

The new threats we need to protect ourselves against today are notonly armed attacks but also the unrest and political instability whichhave arisen since the end of the cold war. There is also an increasedrisk of terrorist activities and widespread violence, which sometimeslead to direct acts of war and consequent devastation and refugee emer-gencies. The development of events in former Yugoslavia is a recentexample. In addition, there are other emergency situations that canthreaten people, property and the environment in peacetime.

In the Bill on Planning for Severe Peacetime Emergencies (1996/97:11), the Government outlines the foundations for a new view ofsecurity policy to cover emergency situations in peacetime. This meansamong other things that we create as stable a society as possible and - ifa severe emergency situation arises - that civilian and military defenceresources can be made effective use of.

Governing principles

• AdaptabilityA consequence of the difficulty of predicting security developments inthe world around us is the need for the total defence system to becapable of adapting adequately to changing threats. This is the centralidea in the Government’s proposals.

• A unified viewTotal defence consists of military and civilian defence. The broadeneddefinition of security means that total defence resources should also beable to be utilized in the event of severe peacetime emergencies.

• A democratic defenceThe nation’s defence system should be the concern and responsibility ofthe entire population. Sweden should have a modern total defence whereeveryone contributes to the common defence effort. A defence system

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manned by paid professionals can never create such strength and will toresist.

• InternationalizationSweden’s international work for peace and security is an increasinglyimportant part of our national security policy. Participation in peacesupport and humanitarian operations is now one of the main tasks ofthe defence system.

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Adaptability

Total defence capability shall be appropriate to the security situation.There shall always be an adequate preparedness to increase that capa-bility in the event of a worsening of the security situation. If threats toSweden diminish, we can reduce our national defence. If threats toSweden increase, we shall strengthen our defence.

In the current international climate there are very few military thre-ats. But if the troops in our vicinity today were revitalized, we shouldbe able to raise the war capability of all units within a year. The totaldefence should also be capable of long-term adaptation.

This means that the duties of the total defence forces are differentfor different time scales. In the long term they should be able to counteran armed attack. In the short term, the Government has said, their taskis to maintain our territorial integrity, be able to deal with the conse-quences of crises and conflicts in our immediate vicinity, take part ininternational peace support and humanitarian operations, and strengthenour ability to cope with severe emergency situations in peacetime.

The ability of the total defence system to adapt in the long term isconnected with the way the future is viewed. It must be able to dealwith a wide range of possible courses of development. This also meansthat the total defence system cannot prepare for a specific possible futu-re situation but must have a general ability to adapt.

The civilian defence shall also be capable of adapting to the currentsecurity situation. The complementary measures for improving civilpreparedness shall, to a greater extent than before, cover the most im-portant infrastructure areas, such as electricity supply, telecommunica-tions, information systems and command systems.

The ability of the civilian defence to adapt is dependent on thestability and flexibility of peacetime society. That of the military defen-ce, by contrast, must be brought about through special measures. Theseare both time-consuming and long-term, since they involve changes toinfrastructure and advanced weapons systems.

In order to be able to assess the situation in both the short and longterm, Parliament and the Government have decided on regular securityreviews. These are prepared for the Government by the Defence Com-mission, which consists of representatives of all the Parliamentary par-ties. If international circumstances alter quickly or are difficult to ass-ess, reviews will be carried out more frequently.

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It is necessary to have a solid basis of information in order to beable to make the right adaptations at the right time. Therefore advancedresearch work and an effective intelligence service are essential.

If a threatening situation should arise, Sweden should receive amplewarning. This is both because our international contacts are much wi-der today than in the past, and because our access to information ismuch greater.

The Government’s capacity to analyze international developmentswill be strengthened. The total defence authorities will improve theirplanning for adaptation.

Broadening the definition of security to cover the whole of societyand the severe emergency situations it could face, means that the intel-ligence service needs to monitor new types of threats and risks. Thenew openness on developments in military defence means that informa-tion in that area is now much more accessible. More advanced analysisis now needed. The Government is therefore ordering a review of theintelligence service.

In order to enhance the adaptability of the national defence theGovernment intends to expand the research that is today being carriedout under the various authorities of the total defence system.

The Government proposes a somewhat larger war organization thanwas proposed in the first phase of the Defence Resolution. The supplyof qualified personnel is an important factor in the ability to adapt.There should therefore be 300 full-time officers over and above theimmediate requirements of the war organization.

Some materials in excess of those required for the present war or-ganization will also be retained.

It is important that we also have access to sufficient quantities ofnew, modern materials if the security situation were to darken andcompetition for weapons and other war materials increase.

The Government has decided that, in connection with the 1998review, further analysis should be carried out of the technological skillsand materials required to guarantee defence adaptability.

The Armed Forces will initiate a number of technology projects tofacilitate adaptation. We will also ensure that we have national experti-se in the field of explosives.

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A unified view - a broader definitionof security

Sweden has redefined its definition of security. The new, broader defi-nition includes non-military threats and risks in addition to armed at-tack.

The broadened concept leads to a broader range of total defencetasks.

Total defence resources shall be structured in such a way that theycan also be utilized to complement and strengthen our country’s abilityto deal with threats and risks even in peacetime. Often the same know-ledge, abilities and materials are needed both to guarantee vital publicservices in wartime and to deal with severe emergencies in times ofpeace.

Therefore there is much to gain from planning and structuring totaldefence activities from the beginning so that they can effectively sup-port peacetime society.

The unified view of defence has guided the structuring of the Go-vernment Defence Bill for 1997-2001. Total defence resources shallboth strengthen society’s ability to deal with severe emergency situa-tions in peacetime and be able to be made use of in Sweden’s participa-tion in international peace support and humanitarian operations.

The Government’s Bill on Planning for Severe Peacetime Emergen-cies sets out in more detail some of the possible emergencies for whichit is important that society is prepared:

• Radioactive fallout• Serious interruptions to the electricity supply• Serious interruptions to telecommunications• Serious interruptions to the supply of electricity and water to thehealth service• Serious interruptions to the water supply• Serious interruptions to radio and TV• Floods and dam bursts• Mass influx of asylum- and aid-seekers to Sweden• Severe epidemics• Terrorism• Chemical accidents and the release of dangerous substances into thesea• Threats to the security of essential computer systems.

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A democratic popular defenceYes to national service, no to a professional army

Sweden shall have a defence system firmly rooted in the population,and not a full-time professional army. The Swedish total defence shouldbe so constructed and organized as to be the concern of the entirepopulation. It is of great importance that the people of Sweden feelresponsible for and able, according to ability, to take part in the defen-ce of their country. This is best achieved through a system based onnational service.

A country like Sweden, with a large land area and a small popula-tion, needs a relatively large defence system. Furthermore, since natio-nal service recruits come from widely different sectors of society, thismethod also helps provide the defence system with a broad range ofknowledge and experience. In addition, national service also meansthat the defence system is firmly rooted in the people. A professionalarmy cannot create the will to resist and the strength that a nationaldefence system requires.

In the Bill on the Renewal of Sweden’s Defence (phase one) theGovernment stressed that each year 30,000 national service recruitsshould be trained in the military sector and 10,000 in the civilian sec-tor. In practice the total number of total defence recruits per year inrecent years has been only about 38,000.

According to the Armed Forces, the minimum number of militaryrecruits required is 28,800. The Government wishes 29,000 to be as-signed to the military sector.

An experimental three-month national service recruitment trainingscheme for the home guard is being introduced.

The reorganization of the defence system means that a certain re-duction in the number of recruits is acceptable during a transition peri-od. In 1998 and 1999 the numbers will be temporarily reduced by4,000 per year.

Eventually about 10,000 young people will be assigned to thecivilian defence. During the period 1997-2001 the number trained willbe progressively increased to 5,000 per year, about 3,000 of whom willjoin the civil emergency forces.

When the 1998 security review is carried out, a new assessmentwill be made of the division of training needs between the military andcivilian defence sectors.

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Improved benefits

The conditions and privileges of national servicemen and women aredealt with in the Bill.

• The demobilization allowance is raised by 500 kr to 4,500 kr from 1January 1997.• The housing supplement is raised by 100 kr per month.• The Government has promised better insurance cover.

The provisions for national service conscripts to receive unemploymentbenefit have also been improved. The exceptions which existed earlierwhen working out income on which the benefits are based have beenreintroduced.

At the same time only those conscripts who can prove their abilityto pay before they were called up can receive housing supplement,which is a tightening up of the present regulations.

Access to work or a university place on completion of basic train-ing should be made easier. Conscripts should have close access to up-to-date information about job vacancies and opportunities to study.Computer linkups with employment agencies should be tested and eva-luated.

The Government also believes in the importance of increasingcollaboration between the total defence system and the universities andcolleges, both so that training can, to a greater extent than today, leadto recognized civilian qualifications, and also to make it easier for con-scripts to study in their spare time. Where possible, national serviceshould fit in with the academic year.

The importance of increasing the opportunity at all levels to influ-ence what goes on is emphasized in the Bill. This will strengthen thedefence system and broaden its democratic base. The Government hasrecently decided that the Swedish Conscripts Council and the SwedishCivil Conscripts Council may arrange congresses.

The Soldiers against Drugs project receives increased financial re-sources and is being directed at all total defence conscripts.

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Volunteers - an indispensable part of a democraticdefence

The volunteer defence forces are an indispensable part of Sweden’sdemocratic defence. Together the volunteer defence organizations andnational service training create the preconditions for a continued strongwill to defend our nation.

The voluntary defence organizations are exempt from theGovernment’s proposed cutbacks. However, a review of the system offinancing will be carried out, where the link between government grantand defence benefit will be tightened.

The Government is setting aside resources to support the possibili-ties for the volunteer defence organizations to increase their efforts inthe Baltic states. The proposal is an important link in preventive peace-building in the Baltic Sea region and in establishing a democratic popu-lar defence in our immediate vicinity.

The home guard and increased security patrolling

The Government wishes to support the continued revitalization of thehome guard and to carry out a comprehensive upgrading of their equip-ment. The aim is a modern organization with 125,000 home guards-men.

A short training course of conscripts for the home guard will berun as a trial. If it is successful it will open the way for young people toenter the home guard.

The Government also wants the modernization of materials to takeplace more quickly. The Armed Forces must therefore try to achievefaster deliveries of their infra-red and signals equipment. Deliveries ofthe new uniform shall be completed in 1997.

The home guard is also an important resource for protecting impor-tant sites.

The Government is creating special platoons for such duties, and israising the standard and capacity of the police reserve. The specialplatoons will be called in if and when the security situation is seen tobe worsening. They should be made up of conscripts who no longerbelong to military units. The aim is that there should be 40,000 peoplein the special platoons and 15,000 in the police reserve.

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More women in the defence forces

The Government considers it desirable to increase the number of wo-men in the defence forces. For this to happen there must be a broaderbase, that is the number undergoing recruitment training must be in-creased. One way is to spread more information to schools and throughthe media about the opportunities that are opening up for women tovolunteer for national service and undergo military training. Whereverpossible there should be women on each recruitment board.

The network for women officers should receive support, both fi-nancial and administrative. The physical and fitness requirements forofficer recruitment should be re-examined.

The Creative Difference project, which is being run by the ArmedForces, should be extended. The purpose of the project is to influenceattitudes. By taking advantage of differences such as those between maleand female, the quality of the war organization is raised.

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Defence in the service of peace

Sweden has a long and successful tradition of participation in UN peacesupport operations. The Defence Bill will lead to improvements inSweden’s preparedness and our ability to fulfil this commitment as man-dated by the UN and the OSCE. In this way we also strengthen our ownsecurity.

Sweden should be able to take part in a broad range of operations,from providing armed personnel for peace support operations to civiland relief missions to strengthen local competence for reconstructionwork after a conflict.

The Armed Forces will establish an international command, builton SWEDINT (the Swedish Armed Forces International Centre). Itspurpose will be to organize, train for and support peace support ope-rations in which Sweden is participating.

The international command will include an international force, lar-ge enough to be able to form part of an independent unit - a battalion -in a larger international force.

Special staff units, and field units in such areas as mine-clearance,transport and medical care shall be organized by the international com-mand. These special units should also be able to join in civil humanita-rian operations.

Countless armed conflicts could in all probably have been nippedin the bud if it had been possible to quickly send in an internationalpeace force. Sweden’s international command shall include a rapid reac-tion force, consisting of a mechanized rifle company and a special unitwhich can be sent on international missions at short notice.

We shall improve Sweden’s preparedness to participate in interna-tional humanitarian operations.

To this end Sweden will work towards extended and intensifiedPFP cooperation, which will increase our ability to work together ef-fectively with other countries in peace support and other humanitarianoperations.

The Armed Forces’ special unit for humanitarian efforts, Swedre-lief, will be transferred to the Swedish Rescue Services Agency, whichwill be responsible for carrying out disaster relief and rescue opera-tions in other countries.

We are developing civil reaction forces for international humanita-rian efforts. The composition of these forces depends on the pool of

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trained professionals and experts that is available in the present organi-zation.

There will be an increasingly greater need for so-called multifunc-tional peace support and humanitarian operations - that is operationsinvolving coordinated and simultaneous military and civil efforts.

Immediately after an armed conflict has ceased, military peace sup-port operations dominate. Then, as peace stabilizes, the need for recon-struction assistance increases and it is the humanitarian contributionthat dominates. But effective coordination between military and huma-nitarian efforts is always necessary.

In order to support the necessary cooperation a special coordinatorwill be appointed to develop and assess the training for internationaloperations. The coordinator will then suggest any necessary changes tothe training.

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Antipersonnel mines• total ban• stocks destroyed• mine-clearance unit established

The Government proposes a unilateral Swedish ban on all use ofantipersonnel mines. A total ban is imposed, without exceptions andloopholes. The Government’s proposal for a total ban follows strictlythe international definition of antipersonnel mines.

All antipersonnel mines locked up in Swedish weapon stores are tobe destroyed during the period covered by the Defence Resolution.This does not, of course, apply to mines used for research or instructio-nal purposes.

A total ban means a reduction of defence capability. The Govern-ment is of the opinion, however, that a reduction should be carried outnow that our country is no longer under the threat of military attack.More and more countries are questioning the future significance ofantipersonnel mines.

Sweden has been the driving force behind a total international banon antipersonnel mines, and will continue to pursue the issue withundiminished energy. Only a global ban can prevent new humanitariandisasters.

The Government proposes that a total defence mine-clearance unitbe set up to coordinate and develop mine-seeking and mine-clearingcapability.

The mine-clearance unit will build on experience gained in bothmilitary and humanitarian work. A common pool of qualified person-nel will be created, who can be quickly sent out on international mine-clearance missions.

The unit will be a centre for research, development and the testingof new mine-clearing equipment. The unit should be able to offer train-ing in ammunition- and mine-clearance to meet both the needs of thewar organization and of peace support and humanitarian operations.Humanitarian organizations and foreign government authorities shouldbe able to use the unit and contribute useful knowledge and expe-rience.

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Commanding the total defence

New demands will be made of the total defence command in the future.The broader definition of security means that new tasks will arise. Intimes of severe civil emergency, complex operations must be organizedfast. International operations mean commanding forces in new and un-familiar environments. The armed aggression which can threaten us inthe future will be characterized by surprise attack, rapid change andfighting over large areas.

The command system of the future must be characterized by speed,flexibility and endurance. In the coming five-year period, therefore,important steps will be taken to improve command ability.

The rapid development of information technology is an importantprecondition, but also a challenge. Methods of command must developin step with the introduction of new technology. The civil and militarysectors of the total defence system must form a unified system. An im-portant precondition for this is the common computer communicationsystem they will share.

The IT world of the future will provide totally new preconditionsfor command and cooperation. The Government is therefore ordering aspecial analysis of the need for coordination and principles for coope-ration within the total defence system. Such an analysis provides animportant basis for an evaluation of inter alia the number of commandlevels.

The Government does not propose any fundamental changes in thecommand structure. However,it does propose some reductions withinthe military command organization.

The main change is that the number of defence regions is reducedfrom 26 to 16. A further reduction is expected when the county bordersin the west of Sweden are redrawn. This will mean that the majority ofdefence regions will comprise two counties. The number of divisionalheadquarters will be reduced from six to three.

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Military defence - modern and flexible

Aims and tasks

The tasks of the Armed Forces shall be to• defend the country against armed attack• maintain our territorial integrity• be able to carry out international peace support operations, and• be able to be used in the event of severe peacetime emergencies.

The long-term development of the security policy situation is difficultto predict. Therefore the military defence should be capable of adap-ting to future needs.

In the present international situation military threats are strictlylimited. Therefore not all the existing units have full war capability.

However, the military defence shall be so prepared that most unitscan achieve full war capacity within a year.

Preparedness, organization and planning will mean that the defen-ce system’s long-term capacity can adapt, that is expand or change inorder to meet future threats.

The Armed Forces’ war organization

• HeadquartersThe headquarters, three joint commands and three logistics regimentsare retained.

• The ArmyThree divisional headquarters and divisional units, and 13 army briga-des are retained. The number of people in the territorial defence isreduced to approximately 90,000. The number in the home guard isincreased to 125,000.Medium-range anti-aircraft defences will be developed so that procure-ment can begin during the period 1997-2001.

• The NavyThe four naval commands are retained. 24 surface attack vessels areretained until the end of the period 1997-2001, when the number will

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be reduced to 20. Nine submarines are retained, two of them in thematériel reserve. Six amphibious battalions are being organized. Threecoastal artillery battalions and a heavy coastal missile battery are retai-ned. The permanent coastal defence units are reduced to six battalions.

• The Air ForceThe command of the Air Force is organized into a central fighter com-mand unit and three air command headquarters. Six fighter controlunits, 16 air-base battalions, 13 fighter squadrons and four air transportsquadrons are retained. A third batch of JAS 39 Gripen will be procu-red.

The Armed Forces’ peacetime organization

The Government’s proposal for the war organization represents a ba-lanced overall solution. In formulating the proposal on the structure ofthe peacetime organization, two guiding principles have been the avoi-dance of uncertain investments and concentration on garrisons that caneasily be expanded.

The Government is also of the opinion that the various peacetimeactivities of the Armed Forces should be spread out geographically inorder to strengthen public support for the defence system. There is,however, no direct link between where a unit receives its basic trainingand where mobilization takes place or where the unit is intended to beused in war.

The army’s peacetime organization will include the following 13 armybrigades:

• the Norrbotten Brigade (MekB 19) in Boden• the Ångermanland Brigade (NB 21) in Sollefteå• the Rifle Brigade (NB 5) in Östersund• the Dalarna Brigade (NB 13) in Falun• the Värmland Brigade (IB 2) in Kristinehamn• the Life Guards Brigade (IB 1) in Kungsängen• the Södermanland Brigade (MekB 10) in Strängnäs• the Gotland Brigade(MekB 18) in Visby• the Småland Brigade (IB 12) in Eksjö• the Skaraborg Brigade (PB 9) in Skövde

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• the Halland Brigade(IB 16) in Halmstad• the Skåne Dragoon Brigade (PB 8) in Hässleholm• the Southern Skåne Brigade (MekB 7) in Revingehed.

It is proposed that the navy’s peacetime organization should consist ofthe following naval establishments:

• the Northern Naval Command (MKN) in Härnösand• the Eastern Naval Command (MKO) in Vaxholm/Muskö• the Fårösund Naval Brigade (FMB) in Fårösund• the Western Naval Command (MKV) in Göteborg• the Southern Naval Command (MKS) in Karlskrona.

The peacetime organization of the air force will principally consist of13 air squadrons and 16 air-base battalions divided between the follo-wing wings:

• F 21 in Luleå• F 4 in Östersund• F 16 in Uppsala• F 7 in Såtenäs• F 10 in Ängelholm• F 17 in Kallinge.

The Government proposes that the following be disbanded:

• the Lower Northern Division in Östersund, the WesternDivision inSkövde, 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 Regi-ment (Lv 4) in Ystad, the Svea Engineers (Ing 1) in Södertälje, and theSvea Supply and Transport Training Regiment (T 1) in Linköping• Hälsinge Wing (F 15) in Söderhamn, and the Air Force FlyingTrainingWing (F 5) in Ljungbyhed.

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The Government proposes that the following units be established:

• the Armed Forces Helicopter Wing at Malmen• the Armed Forces International Command in Södertälje, through areorganization of SWEDINT• the Armed Forces Intelligence and Security Headquarters in Uppsala• the Armed Forces Logistics Unit• the Army Tactical Headquarters in Enköping.

In addition, the Öresund Naval District is to come under the organiza-tion of Naval Commands, and Karlskrona Navy Training Schools underBerga Navy Training Schools.

Upgrading defence materials

Ground defence forces

• Procurement of Leopard 2 tanks type 121• Procurement of the new Leopard 2 I tanks type 122• Procurement of more combat vehicles type 90• Procurement of anti-aircraft missile system type 90 withnight visioncapability• Procurement of artillery-locating radar (ARTHUR)• Procurement of anti-aircraft missile system type 23 (BAMSE), medi-um-range all-weather system• Procurement of target-detecting submunitions system BONUS for theartillery• Overhaul and modification of anti-aircraft missile system type 77.

Naval defence forces

• Procurement of coastal corvettes• Procurement of submarines equipped with additional engines tomakeit possible to travel further when submerged• Procurement of combat vessels for the amphibious battalions• Procurement of mine-sweeping vessels• Construction and procurement of YS 2000 surface attack vessels• Procurement of torpedo type 62.

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Air defence forces

• Procurement of JAS 39 Gripen• Procurement of FSR 890 airborne surveillance radar system• Procurement of TARAS tactical radio system• Establishment of fighter control units.

JAS 39 Gripen

The Government wishes the first Gripen squadron to be operative by1997 and the second in the following year. It is also important thatprocurement of the two-seater JAS 39 Gripen continues. The aim is thatdelivery of this plane should begin in 1998 and that it should be putinto operative service in 1999.

The Government proposes that a third batch of JAS 39 Gripen shallbe developed and procured. The objective is twelve fighter squadrons,which means that the third batch corresponds to the requirements of afurther four divisions. Final deliveries of the second batch will takeplace in the year 2003, which means that deliveries of the third batchmust begin in the same year. This in turn means that development workmust begin in 1997, and be geared towards adaptation to new technolo-gy and better air defence capability. Final deliveries will be in 2006.

The JAS 39 Gripen and the JA 37 will be equipped with missile 99.The Government proposes that the JAS 39 Gripen shall also be equip-ped with a reconnaissance pod.

International cooperation

In times of war and crisis Sweden should be able to make use of thedefence materials we already have and also to produce that which wecannot obtain from other countries. Therefore the Government has de-clared that certain basic competencies must be provided for in the coun-try:

• electronic warfare technology• advanced stealth technology• underwater technology• aviation technology• maintenance of existing systems.

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The defence material requirements of the Armed Forces will be insuffi-cient to maintain a defence industry of the present size.

Increased international cooperation is necessary if we are to main-tain the defence industry’s level of competence and enable the defenceforces to adapt to change. The Government believes that national self-sufficiency is both undesirable and economically and technically im-possible. Instead we must minimize the risks dependence on other na-tions entails.

Intensified international cooperation will help us to maintain Swe-dish competence at the same time as it gives access to internationalknowledge and expertise. It also makes competitive tendering possiblewhen defence materials are to be procured.

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Civilian defence - stable and flexible

Aims and tasks

The duties of the civilian defence are to

• protect the civilian population, ensure essential supplies,safeguardthe most important public services and support the Armed Forces’capability in the event of an armed attackon Sweden or war in ourimmediate vicinity,• be able to carry out international peace support and humanitarianoperations• reinforce the overall ability to deal with severe peacetimeemergen-cies.

The ability of the civilian defence to fulfil its duties in war is based onsociety’s innate robustness and flexibility. This basic capability is com-plemented by special preparations to counter armed attack.

Of particular importance to the civilian defence’s performance ofits duties is that infrastructure systems such as the electricity supply,telecommunications and information technology are not vulnerable.Deregulation and internationalization, and increasing specialization andconcentration in industry lead to increased dependence on single sour-ces and other countries.

The first phase of the Defence Resolution has meant significantchanges for civilian defence planning. The definition of security hasbroadened and a unified approach is now applied to measures to dealwith threats and risks in war and peace. The resources of the civiliandefence should be available in times of severe peacetime emergenciesand for international peace support and humanitarian operations.

In wartime the command of the civilian defence would be organi-zed at four different levels: central government, civilian commander,county administrative board and local council. The Government sees itas important to improve command ability through education and train-ing. Priority should also be given to technical support, measures toimprove telecommunications and computer security, energy reserves and,in some cases, physical protection.

It is the responsibility of the authorities to give the local councilsthe support they need for their planning and preparation.

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Civil emergency forces

The Government is strengthening the civilian defence through its pro-posal for a new form of training for the civil emergency forces. The aimis to create an easily available resource which can be engaged in timesof war or civil emergency.

The training shall be in two parts: a general training course lastinga minimum of 60 days, and a specialized course. The length of thetraining will vary according to its nature, but the total training period islikely to be approximately three months.

Training can be in such areas as

• reception of refugees• protection of the civilian population• rescue services.

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Personnel

During the period 1997-2001 the slimming down of the peacetime or-ganization will lead to a reduction in Armed Forces personnel of about4,000.

How this reduction should be carried out should be decided thr-ough an agreement between the various parties involved. It is necessaryto explore all possible ways of carrying out the restructuring of theArmed Forces. The Armed Forces should also plan for longer postingsfor full-time officers.

The Government emphasizes the importance of good education andtraining for both civil and military personnel. Civil personnel shouldbe allowed to take part in training at the military colleges that is rele-vant to their participation in the military defence’s war and peacetimeorganizations.

In order to make the personnel structure more flexible, other ca-tegories of instructor than regular officers should be involved in thepeacetime training of forces.

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Research

Changes in the international security situation make analysis and re-search more important than ever.

• There is an increased need for defence research regarding long-termplanning of total defence capability.• The Armed Forces shall provide a good level of competence whencommissioning research and technology development.• There should be an increase in international analysis and research inareas of importance to the total defence’s ability to adapt and to thenew threats we face.• There should be an increase in research and analysis concerning inter-national operations.• The continued monitoring of NBC weapons, biotechnology and gene-tic engineering is necessary.

The Government is setting up a special group, whose chairman will beappointed by the Minister of Defence, to coordinate research into newthreats and risks to society.

The research furthering the ability to adapt shall be based on intel-ligence-gathering and analysis, and shall provide a basis for Governme-nt decision-making. The same applies to research and analyses concer-ning international operations.