Facts: Dalregementet I 13
Dalregementet I 13 is a light infantry that trains two independent rifle battalions.
The regiment was formed in 1625 and is one of Sweden’s oldest regiments with roots in the Dalarfäniks (a force of footmen who follow a banner) which was stationed in Dalarna from 1542.
Since 1816, the regiment has had the number I 13 and moved from Borlänge to Falun at the beginning of the 20th century.
At the turn of the millennium, the regiment was disbanded following a defense decision. Twenty years later, the Riksdag decided in 2020 to restart the regiment.
The reopening took place on 23 October 2021 by King Carl XVI Gustaf and the first conscripts arrived on 8 August 2022.
Source: Riksarkivet, Dalregementet.
At Dalregementet, anticipation and nervousness bubble as conscripts arrive in the area to begin their basic training in the defense.
When the young people mustered last year, the war in Ukraine had not yet broken out, and Swedish NATO membership was a long way off. Now the situation around the world looks different, something that 18-year-old Clara Lindén has reflected on.
— It didn’t feel as important, but now I think it feels more important. It feels like you are benefiting in some way, she says.
Conscript Theodor Lannér himself has not thought much about the changed world situation.
— The family has been a little worried. Maybe you need to be a little more worried, but I’m not, it still feels good, he says.
Historic decision
After the Dalregementet was disbanded in 2000, the facility in Falun is now one of five regiments that the Riksdag decided to start up in 2020 – as part of building up the Swedish defense capability.
– These are historic defense decisions that are actually completely called for by the situation in the outside world. That’s what really makes it special, says Colonel Ronny Modigs, commander of the Dal Regiment.
Ronny Modigs worked at the Dalregementet when it was shut down in 2000. Now he is back as head. NATO
The ranks of conscripts that circulate from one side of a small warehouse to the other will be trained as soldiers for ground combat, among other things to protect the connections to Oslo but also to protect other important total defense installations.
— We haven’t had connections in Sweden’s interior for quite some time. It is partly about the will to defend, to establish the armed forces in areas where we have not had the armed forces for many years, but it is also about what we call gateways from Norway, he says and continues:
— When we have to fight together with other countries, such as the USA or Great Britain, then we need to get support from there. And when this defense decision was made, there was no thought of NATO. But since the Ukraine war started, NATO is now a reality and then this becomes even more important.
Construction
There are 150 conscripts starting their basic training in Dalarna this year, after which a gradual increase takes place each year up to 250. Around 2030, there is also a thought that the planned new regimental area should be completed and fully equipped – until then, the defense may stay in existing buildings that have been upgraded and adapted to their operations.
— It’s so much fun to be back in action here in Falun. It’s great support in society, so it’s incredibly positive, says Ronny Modigs, and director of education Patrik Warström adds:
— It still remains in the people’s soul in Dalarna. It feels like you have some local patriotic support behind you.
Colonel Modigs, on the other hand, believes that the Ukraine war is the biggest contributing factor to the Falu residents’ positive attitude towards the restart.
— It will be sharp in a completely different way than it was when we were here in the 80s and 90s. Now it’s real and it’s about Ukraine having to win – because it’s about the entire European security order, he says.
Training manager Patrik Warström and regimental manager Ronny Modigs think society’s response to the restart has been positive. Clara Lindén is one of the first 150 conscripts to start the defense’s basic training in Falun. Theodor Linnér does not feel worried about the changed world situation.