The Swedish Armed Forces welcomes Swedish membership in NATO.
At the same time, major changes will now be required in a short period of time – in a defense that has begun to retool after decades of dismantling.
– It is much more fun to serve in times of growth than in downsizing, says regiment commander Fredrik Herlitz.
Amf 4 in Gothenburg was re-established almost two years ago and here, as in so many other areas within the Armed Forces, they are facing a big challenge now that Sweden will join NATO.
– It will affect me as unit commander in which exercises I will be prioritized after a connection, says Fredrik Herlitz, regiment commander Amf 4, who is satisfied with Monday’s historic announcement.
– I see that it is a security to join NATO, there will be clarity and a safer world for us, he continues.
Old equipment must be replaced
Much of the equipment you have is old and needs to be replaced, and this at the same time that politicians have decided that Sweden’s military capabilities must be greatly expanded.
– You always want to go a little further, but we also have to endure in the long run. Then we have to balance the existing resources we have with the ability to grow and the ability to receive more equipment, while at the same time shouldering the role of practicing more internationally, says Fredrik Herlitz.
Even now, the Swedish Armed Forces consider that Sweden is well prepared to join NATO, but there are still things that need to change immediately when we become members.
– We have been partners with NATO for over 25 years and then it is easy to get the picture that this will flow, these are no additional aspects that we do not know, but we can certainly state that the flow of information as a member is significantly greater than it is as a partner, so it is, as I said, bureaucratically rather boring measures, says Michael Claesson, the Swedish Defense Forces’ operations manager.
“Exciting time”
It is clear that many in defense are looking forward to rearmaments and decades of disarmament.
– What we are involved in is completely historic. Obviously it’s an exciting time, some of these parts are probably so exciting and serious. But it is much more fun to serve in times of growth than in downsizing, says Fredrik Herlitz.