Sweden’s application to NATO has not yet been approved by all NATO countries and the Riksdag, but the work to prepare Sweden’s possible contribution to the alliance is in full swing and is reported in an interim report to the government.
In the report, it is highlighted, among other things, that Sweden would contribute with air policing.
Baltic Air Policing is one NATO operation where member countries’ warplanes patrol and maintain incident preparedness over the airspace of the three Baltic states. The operation has been ongoing since 2004 and is based at Šiauliai International Airport in Lithuania and at Ämari Air Base in Estonia.
Swedish ground forces and naval combat forces may also be sent to the Baltics and Eastern Europe, the Swedish Armed Forces states in its interim report. However, the armed forces do not want to say exactly which units it may be about.
– This is a partial report. We have identified a number of issues, but not always the ready conclusions, says press secretary Therese Fagerstedt.
How long can it take to ship these abilities?
– We have come quite far in the planning process. I want to firmly assert that it will go quickly.
Strategic areas
In the interim report, the Swedish Armed Forces also point out that areas in Sweden that are strategically important should be given extended military purposes, by being able to be used for the defense of the territory of NATO countries. Swedish contributions “may also include support for the grouping of allied combat forces, storage and the construction of supporting infrastructure for transport, basing, command and protection”, one adds.
What significance does Swedish territory have for the alliance’s defense of Finland and the Baltics?
– It is clear that Sweden has a great importance if we look at where Sweden is geographically.
With Swedish and Finnish membership, “a contiguous NATO territory in the Nordics with an extended border with Russia is created – a northern part in a contiguous front; from the Arctic to the Mediterranean”, states the Swedish Armed Forces further.
NATO headquarters
The armed forces also point out that Sweden lacks staffing in NATO’s central structures, but cannot say how long it may take if Sweden joins the alliance.
– I will not be able to mention any exact timelines. It is still too early.
How many people are we talking about?
– There are hundreds. But I can’t mention any exact numbers.
The Defense Forces’ collected advice regarding NATO will be handed over to the government on 1 November.