Since last summer, the Swedish Armed Forces have been working on adapting to membership in NATO. The work covers ten areas, including staffing, command support systems and air defense, but also what capabilities the defense can develop in the future that NATO needs.
– We are ready and in certain areas we could go in today and support the deterrence capability that NATO has and needs, says Commander-in-Chief Micael Bydén to SVT.
Conference at Defense Headquarters
According to the Swedish Armed Forces, they have come far enough in all areas and are ready for Sweden to become a member of NATO. More development work remains for years to come, but as far as the basic requirements are concerned, we are done.
– Parts of it we can step into today, then it may be that certain components are missing, that you cannot be fully involved. But to join “air policing”, to join a naval force, we can do that today, says Micael Bydén.
– The parts that we could not prepare, what is within the scope of the sharp planning, we will keep that until we become full members.
These days, a conference is taking place at the defense headquarters with envoys from NATO about the changes. Even there, the result is expected to be that Sweden does the work required for membership.
Finland can go ahead
On Thursday, the French general Philippe Lavigne visited Sweden. He is head of NATO’s work with development and change (SACT) and believes that Sweden meets the requirements.
– Generally, it takes three years to integrate a country’s armed forces. For Sweden, it will take less than a year, which is fantastic, says Philippe Lavigne to SVT.
There are many indications that Finland will join NATO before Sweden. According to Micael Bydén, there would be no greater danger if it is for a shorter period.
– It is clear that it would have been desirable to go hand in hand, but there are no big challenges, but it is if we start talking for a longer time, he says.