The financial goals for the defense’s personnel supply have in principle been disconnected from the goals for the operations, notes the National Audit Office, which examined the period 2016–2020.
Some units have aimed to hire more than they have space and resources for and “in reality lack the opportunity to reach the staffing targets within the time frames specified”.
– There are personnel targets that you cannot really control because the budget is controlling, says Fredrik Bonander, project manager for the review, and adds that it might be different now that 2 percent of GDP will go to the modernization of the defense.
Unclear organization
What also stood out during the review is the lack of clarity regarding when different goals are to be reached, if they are to be reached at all, and where the goals come from.
In recent years, the Swedish Armed Forces have had approximately 15–20 percent fewer continuously employed soldiers, sailors and group commanders, known as GSS/K, than is considered necessary. About the same number are on leave.
The armed forces do not feel that they have any problems with recruiting. However, it is difficult to get employed soldiers to stay and has not prioritized the work of getting more to stay, according to the National Audit Office’s review.
Temporary employment creates insecurity
For the Officers’ Association, the review’s conclusions are nothing new, according to the association’s vice-chairman Hans Bergvall. He sees the time-limited employment for soldiers and sailors as a strong contributing factor to many quitting.
– This means that you don’t feel any security in employment, you have difficulty getting a loan, you can’t buy a home and if you find something else, you take it.
He does not believe that the situation will improve simply because the Armed Forces receive more money.
– Then it is required that someone at a higher level transfers the grants to the staff. Now they buy a lot of material, ships, aircraft and equipment. But it takes soldiers and officers to drive airplanes and armored vehicles.
The National Audit Office has not investigated how the lack of employed soldiers affects the Armed Forces’ ability and preparedness.