Swedish Armed Forces/Försvarsmakten

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Les 2 premières Visby, les HMS Helsingborg and HMS Härnösand sont maintenant opérationnelles au sein de la troisième flotille basée à Karlsrona

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MTPC Completed
NATO/PARTNERSHIP MULTINATIONAL TACTICAL PLANNING COURSE
The first week is focused on general orientations and NATO Doctrine lectures, conducted by subject matter experts from NATO and SWEDINT, as well as civilians with relevant experience, in order to give a broad understanding of a modern conflict and the different actors operating within a designated Area of Operation (AOO). Mission experiences from multiple modern conflicts areas can be found among the lecturers, instructors and fellow students.
LTC Per Schedin is currently positioned at the Swedish Armed Forces HQ, working with issues in relation with the recruitment and retainment of an all voluntary force. He attends the course in order to prepare himself for an international mission. Not practising the planning process for several years raised the need for additional training.


“The environment and conditions during this course is most rewarding, where experiences from qualified lecturers is mixed with the experiences from the student. So it’s more to this course than the logic and mechanics of the OPP”, says LTC Schedin.

During week two and three of the course the main content are map exercises allowing the students to train in the use of the methods taught to them, starting with a formal MAPEX 1, led by the syndicate leader. Thereafter, the MAPEX 2 allows for the students to work more independently on the execution of the planning process, and finally MAPEX 3 teaches an abbreviated method.

MAJ Erik Bovekerk from the Air Control Squadron of the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) participates in the course as a preparation on a possible future planner function within the RNLAF.

This course is providing him sound knowledge and skills on the NATO Operational Planning Process. Additional, he has great benefit of this course because the level of planning is focused on an Army Brigade Headquarter. This will be very helpful in mutual understanding of each other in any future cooperation.

Finally the international setting of the course is great. The diversity in nationalities is, both in and around the lessons, of high value. Not only is the setup of the course providing a good interaction possibility, SWEDINT is also organising welfare activities, in which you especially can experience the cultural differences with your fellow students.
http://www.forsvarsmakten.se/en/news/2015/09/mtpc-completed/

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Monday, 28 September 2015
BAE Systems delivered the first four ARCHER 155mm 6x6 self-propelled howitzer to Swedish army
BAE Systems delivered the first four ARCHER 155mm 52 caliber wheeeld self-propelled howitzer to the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration, FMV, during a handover ceremony at the company’s Karlskoga, Sweden facility September 23, 2015.


http://www.armyrecognition.com/september_2015_global_defense_security_news_uk/bae_systems_delivered_the_first_four_archer_155mm_6x6_self-propelled_howitzer_to_swedish_army_12809154.html

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La Suède met fin à la carrière de ses hélicoptères Super Puma

29 Octobre 2015

Rédigé par Loïc et publié depuis Overblog


Photo : (c) Försvarsmakten - Un Super Puma de la Force Aérienne Suédoise lors d'une mission
d'entraînement. On notera l'ajout des skis sur le train d'atterrissage.


Au cours d'une cérémonie organisée le Mercredi 14 Octobre 2015 sur la base aérienne de Luleå, dans le Nord de la Suède, les forces armées suédoises ont mis fin à la carrière de l'ensemble de la flotte des Super Puma encore en service.

Les hélicoptères AS-332 Super Puma, désignés localement HKP10, et après 27 années de bons et loyaux services, ont commencé à stopper petit à petit leur vol et leur mission opérationnelle en parallèle de la montée en puissance de la flotte des NH-90 (ou HKP14) et des UH-60M Black Hawk (HKP16).

Les douze hélicoptères Super Puma ont été livrés à la Force Aérienne Suédoise (Svenska flygvapnet) entre le mois de Mars 1988 et l'année 1995 avec pour mission principale lors de leur intronisation, les missions SAR : Search And Rescue. Mais au fil du temps, les hélicoptères se sont imposés dans d'autres domaines comme celui du transport aérien de troupes et de matériels, ainsi que celui des évacuations sanitaires.

A ce titre, et pendant deux ans, trois Super Puma ont été déployés en Afghanistan pour mener des opérations d'évacuation sanitaire et de blessés, cumulant alors plus de 71 000 heures de vol et utilisant plus de 44,5 millions de litres de carburant.

Si, durant leur carrière, la Suède a déploré la perte de trois appareils, en 2000, en 2003, et en 2005, le reste de la flotte a bénéficié d'une modernisation lorsque les cellules des appareils ont atteint leur premier seuil d'heures de vol à ne pas dépasser. Les derniers appareils en service ont été utilisés le plus tard possible pour les missions opérationnelles et les différents exercices organisés en Suède.

Selon le média spécialisé Flight Global, sur les derniers HKP10 qui viennent d'être retirés du service actif, six vont être proposés à la vente avec l'ensemble de leurs pièces de rechange via l'agence de défense suédoise qui gère les marchés de l'armement qui concernent la Suède, deux exemplaires vont être donnés à des musées suédois, et enfin, un troisième hélicoptère a été transféré à Halmstad, dans l'Ouest de la Suède, où se trouve l'école technique des forces armées qui forme les mécaniciens de la Force Aérienne Suédoise.

http://www.defens-aero.com/2015/10/suede-met-fin-carriere-ses-helicopteres-super-puma.html

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Two Swedish JAS 39 Gripen aircraft landed on a Finnish road base


Oct 29, 2015



The exercise for the Finnish Air Force, designated Baana 2015, took place during the week at Hosio road base. They were testing their new base concept during the exercise, where part of a normal road becomes a temporary runway. During the whole week they carried out a large number of “touch and go” manoeuvres, meaning that Finnish fighter pilots and cadets approach the road base, touch down and immediately take off again.

The 211th combat air division participated in this exercise with a pair of JAS 39 Gripen aircraft in the context of cross-border training. On the Wednesday, Gripen aircraft started out from Kallax with the goal of landing at Hosio road base.

According to the deputy chief of division, the flight posed no problems, but the approach needed much concentration due to overcast weather with low clouds. In addition, none of the pilots had seen the road base previously.

“We flew over the area at high altitude prior to carrying out a visual landing on the road,” says Daniel Jannerstad, deputy chief of division at the 211th combat air division.

Landing visually means that pilots must have a clear view since there are no technical approach aids, which are normally provided at fixed air force bases for the Swedes.




http://defence-blog.com/news/two-swedish-jas-39-gripen-aircraft-landed-on-a-finnish-road-base.html

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La Suède et la Finlande mettent sur pied une force navale conjointe


Posté dans Europe, Forces navales par Laurent Lagneau Le 04-11-2015



En avril, les ministres de la Défense des pays nordiques ont publié une tribune commune pour déplorer une « dégradation » sensible de la situation sécuritaire dans leur environnement proche – en raison, notamment, de l’intensification des activités militaires russes – et plaidé pour une coopération plus étroite entre les forces armées dont ils ont la charge.

Au cours de ces derniers mois, deux pays scandinaves – la Finlande et la Suède – ont dénoncé plusieurs violations de leur intégrité territoriale par des avions – voire des sous-marins – russes. Et c’est sans compter sur les intimidations de Moscou… Les autorités suédoises ont par exemple été menacées de « représailles » en cas d’adhésion à l’Otan.

Seulement, après des années de disette budgétaire, les forces finlandaises et suédoises ne sont pas les mieux armées pour faire face à ce nouveau contexte sécuritaire. D’où la nécessité de rechercher des axes de coopération, d’autant plus que ces deux pays ne sont pas membres de l’Alliance atlantique.

C’est ainsi que le gouvernement suédois a officiellement confirmé, la semaine passée, la création, avec la Finlande, d’une force navale conjointe, qui, appelée « Swedish Finnish Naval Task Force » (SFNTG), devra être « interopérable » avec les unités de l’Otan.

Cette nouvelle force conjointe est vue « comme un moyen rentable d’utiliser conjointement les ressources navales et les capacités » des forces armées suédoises et finlandaises, avance Stockholm, qui précise qu’un groupe de travail sera chargé » les conditions juridiques » de cette coopération.

Cette « Task Force » devra être en mesure de mener de « répondre à des crises » dans l’Arctique et les régions environnantes. A priori, des unités finlandaises pourront donc passer sous commandement suédois et vice-versa.

http://www.opex360.com/2015/11/04/la-suede-la-finlande-mettent-sur-pied-force-navale-conjointe/

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Sweden Extends Training Program for Kurdish Troops In Iraq
By Gerard O'Dwyer 6:42 p.m. EST November 10, 2015




HELSINKI — Sweden formally extended its commitment to training Kurdish peshmerga forces in Iraq to fight the Islamic State until the end of 2016. Funding is in place to continue training programs for Kurdish troops in Iraq over the next 14 months. The training program is being run by a team of 35 specialists drawn from elite combat units within the Swedish Army.

"We are committed to this work. The unit’s number may be small, but the focus should not be on numbers. This is a very capable, competent and highly qualified unit," said Swedish Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist.

The unit, which comprises operational mentoring and liaison teams, became operational in Iraq in August. The training is reported to be concentrated on operations and combat discipline, coordinated actions, weapons training and stealth reconnaissance skills.

The Swedish initiative forms part of the American-led coalition forces’ operations against IS in Iraq. Sweden is also looking at increasing humanitarian aid to Kurdish areas in northern Iraq worst affected by ISIL attacks.

Sweden signaled its intent to contribute to the coalition effort in August 2014 when ISIL combatants attacked Kurdish-held territories and captured three towns in northern Iraq close to the autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan region.

The Swedish Army’s contribution of a specialist training unit to the American-led effort directly reflects the Swedish government’s desire to allocate military resources to both help to fight and counter ISIL’s influence in the Middle East, and the threat posed by ISIL fighters heading back to Sweden and Scandinavia.

Sweden continues to implement new security measures to both deter radicalized Islamic Swedish nationals and non-national residents from leaving the country to join ISIL. National security and military intelligence agencies are being given broader powers of surveillance to monitor the activities of suspected ISIL combatants returning to Sweden.

The Swedish Ministry of Justice is also examining a proposal to criminalize certain actions, such as the booking of travel tickets to the Middle East, in cases where a proven link can be established between actual trips and joining extremist Islamic groups such as ISIL.




http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/2015/11/10/sweden-extends-training-program-kurdish-troops-iraq/75542010/

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Swedish Armed Forces order additional IRIS-T SLS surface-to-air missiles

The Swedish Armed Forces are receiving additional IRIS-T SLS surface-to-air missiles. Starting October 30, 2015, the Swedish Procurement Agency FMV issued on option for the delivery of the guided missiles. The InfraRed Imaging System – Tail vector controlled surface-to-air missile was first ordered by Sweden in March 2013 external link, with the SLS version of the weapon a SAM version of the original air-to-air missile external link.





IRIS-T SLS (Surface Launched Short Range) uses the unchanged air-to-air missile IRIS-T for vertical firing from a launcher mounted on a Unimog 5000 vehicle. The reasonably priced, mobile and all-terrain capable "plug & fight“ short-range air defence system is suited for airspace defence and object protection, e.g. radar units, airfields, etc..

The vertical start enables comprehensive 360° defence. The infrared seeker´s lock-on to the target occurs before launching after target designation by ground station´s battle management system. It can intercept flying targets within a range of 25km.

The IRIS-T SLS guided missile can be adapted to country-specific transport- and launcher vehicles with a variable frame system.




http://www.armyrecognition.com/november_2015_global_defense_security_news_uk/swedish_armed_forces_order_additional_iris-t_sls_surface-to-air_missiles_21311151.html

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Sweden to acquire Improved Ribbon bridges from GDELS

General Dynamics European Land Systems will deliver in this month the initial batch of Improved Ribbon Bridge (IRB) to Sweden. The system will undergo winter testing with the Swedish Army to prove its functionality and its interoperability with the floating bridges currently in service.




Sweden is already a user of the Floating Support Bridge with the supporting trucks and bridge erections boats.

The IRB is designed for use as a floating bridge or multi-bay raft for combat vehicles and trucks. The latest version is based on the Standard Ribbon Bridge and the German-made Floating Support Bridge. They can be deployed by trucks, railway cars, transport aircraft or helicopters.

The newer version is operable in water currents up to 3.05 metres per second. It can be used either for two-lane traffic, for vehicles up to 20 tonnes, or single-lane for vehicles of up to 80 tonnes. It also features an improved ramp bay for bank heights of 2 metres, an improved folding/unfolding mechanism, non-skid surfaces and splash plates to prevent flooding.





http://www.armyrecognition.com/november_2015_global_defense_security_news_uk/sweden_to_acquire_improved_ribbon_bridges_from_gdels_41311152.html

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Swedish Army set for latest RBS 70

Huw Williams, London - IHS Jane's Missiles & Rockets

07 December 2015

A soldier from the ACR's 252nd Anti-Aircraft Section fires a Saab RBS 70 NG SAM system. The service may become the first operator
of the latest RBS 70. Source: ACR


The Swedish Army is set to take into service Saab's RBS 70 NG (New Generation) very short-range air defence (VSHORAD) system, IHS Jane's has learned.

Speaking during an exercise on the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea, Colonel Stefan Jönsson, commanding officer of the Swedish Air Defence Regiment, said that the army will begin its transition to the RBS 70 NG in 2016.

The exercise saw the army's Halmstad-based 61st Air Defence Battalion deploy the full range of its systems in what Colonel Jönsson said was an operationally representative deployment that tested its ability to rapidly react and establish an air-defence capability in the region.

As IHS Jane's reported in October 2015, the Czech Republic is planning to purchase the RBS 70 NG, which would make it the first operator of the system.

The Army of the Czech Republic (ACR) conducted firing trials of the system at the end of October, with it set to replace the Soviet-era 9K35 Strela-10M (SA-13 'Gopher') self-propelled surface-to-air missile system.

The RBS 70 NG uses command line-of-sight (CLOS) guidance with laser beam-riding interceptors. The baseline RBS 70 NG - which comprises a launch container with interceptor, a tripod, and an NG sight - builds on the earlier RBS 70 man-portable air-defence system, but adds an advanced, integrated sighting system, along with either a third-generation Mk 2 (7 km range) interceptor or the fourth-generation Bolide (8 km range) all-target interceptor.

A key improvement is the new NG lighter weight sighting system. This includes an integrated thermal imager (the earlier RBS 70 variant used a BORC clip-on thermal imager), an auto tracker for improved aiming/guidance, an improved acquisition and engagement system to shorten the engagement sequence, 3-D visual cuing, automatic after-action video, and improved HMI functions for the gunner.

While the NG sight is compatible with all RBS 70 interceptors (Mk 1, Mk 2, and Bolide), according to Saab with the new Bolide interceptor, an RBS 70NG system with a triple launcher can launch all three interceptors near-simultaneously using a colour-coded frequency selection option from a menu on the sight.

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Publié le 17 décembre 2015

La Suède réceptionne son premier NH90 configuré pour la lutte anti-sous-marine


Airbus Helicopters a livré le 17 décembre 2015 le premier hélicoptère NH90 suédois configuré pour des missions de lutte anti-sous-marine (ASM). Cet hélicoptère est doté d’un système de mission entièrement personnalisé comprenant un sonar trempé, un radar tactique et une cabine surélevée qui optimise l’espace intérieur disponible. Il est spécialement conçu pour les missions navales et l’environnement opérationnel de la mer Baltique.

Au total, la Suède a commandé 18 hélicoptères NH90, dont 13 équipés pour les missions de recherche et sauvetage (SAR) et cinq en configuration ASM. Les quatre hélicoptères NH90 SAR déjà livrés vont être reconfigurés en configuration ASM. Suite à cette modification, la flotte de NH90 suédois comprendra neuf hélicoptères dédiés à la lutte anti-sous-marine et neuf autres aux missions de recherche et sauvetage.


NH90 suédois configuré pour la lutte anti-sous-marine© Airbus Helicopters

http://www.aerobuzz.fr/defense/breve/la-sue%CC%80de-receptionne-son-premier

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Saab Receives Order For Sweden's "Torpedo 62" Heavyweight Torpedo System Upgrade

Defence and security company Saab has received an order from the Swedish Defence Material Administration (FMV) for the upgrade and enhancement of the heavyweight torpedo system, Torpedo 62. The deliveries will take place during the period 2016-2017.


The order comes under the terms of the Letter of Intent (LoI), signed between Saab and FMV on June 9 2014, regarding support for the Swedish Armed Force´s underwater capabilities. With this order the Torpedo 62 system will be upgraded with new and enhanced functionalities. The contract also includes an option for additional orders.HWT Torpedo System Saab

“Saab develops the systems together with its customers in order to meet the challenges that they face. We have a very strong relationship with FMV and through this order, we will deliver a modern and powerful torpedo system”, says Agneta Kammeby, head of business unit Underwater Systems within Saab business area Dynamics.

The Torpedo 62 is an advanced heavy weight torpedo for combating surface targets. The Torpedo 62 is equipped with an advanced propulsion system capable of high speed and long endurance together with a state of the art homing system.

Saab has established a unique expertise to developed underwater systems for shallow waters and for the specific environment found in the Baltic Sea, including customised propulsion systems, communication systems and target seekers. Some of these are world leading systems within its segment. Saab has a longstanding partnership with FMV and has provided underwater solutions for weapon systems, sensors, autonomous underwater vehicles and mine hunting.




http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3391

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La Suède et le Danemark s’entendent sur un accord militairePosté dans Diplomatie, Europe par Laurent Lagneau Le 23-01-2016


Suède s’aperçoit maintenant que ses capacités militaires sont insuffisantes alors que de vives tensions l’opposent à la Russie depuis plusieurs violations de son territoire par cette dernière et surtout l’annexion de la Crimée.

La Suède présente un intérêt stratégique évident. Du moins, c’est surtout vrai pour l’île de Gotland, située à 90 km à l’est des côtes suédoises et à 140 km à l’ouest de la Lettonie. Son contrôle permettrait de « verrouiller » l’accès de la mer Baltique et constitueront un « porte-avions » naturel en cas d’attaque des pays baltes. En outre, elle est longée le gazoduc Nord Stream, qui approvisionne l’Europe occidentale en gaz naturel russe.

En 2014, la Suède a cessé tout dialogue militaire avec la Russie. Et, alors que l’idée d’une possible adhésion à l’Otan fait son chemin à Stokholm, Moscou a menacé le gouvernement suédois de représailles s’il choisissait une telle option.

Seulement, la remontée en puissance de forces armées affaiblies pendant des années de disette budgétaire ne se fait pas du jour au lendemain. D’autant plus si l’effort budgétaire consenti reste insuffisant, même s’il a été augmenté (+11% sur 5 ans). Aussi, une des solutions passe par des accords de défense.

Ces derniers mois, Stockholm a renforcé sa coopération militaire avec la Pologne et surtout la Finlande, avec laquelle il est question de créer la Swedish Finnish Naval Task Force (SFNTG), une force navale conjointe interopérable avec les unités de l’Otan. Ces rapprochements peuvent éventuellement avoir des conséquences industrielles : Varsovie entend se doter de nouveaux sous-marins (et la Suède en propose) tandis qu’Helsinki doit remplacer ses avions F-18 Hornet (le JAS-39 Gripen du constructeur suédois Saab pourrait être sur les rangs)…

Le dernier accord en date a récemment été conclu avec le Danemark. Le texte, signé les ministres suédois et danois de la Défense, Peter Hultqvist et Peter Christensen, prévoit notamment la possibilité de mener des missions de surveillance en commun, de partager des infrastructures (ports militaires et bases aériennes) et d’augmenter les exercices conjoints entre les forces armées de deux pays.

Le volet « surveillance » est sans doute le plus important. « En travaillant ensemble pour analyser les données sur la situation actuelle et échanger des informations, nous pourrons avoir une image commune de ce qui se passe dans la région de la Baltique. De cette façon, nous pourrons traiter conjointement les problèmes qui peuvent survenir », a expliqué Peter Hultqvist.

Cet accord « donnera plus d’yeux et d’oreilles » dans la région, a ajouté M. Christensen. En clair, il s’agira de surveiller de très près les mouvements et les activités de l’aviation et des forces navales russes.

En 2015, le Danemark a aussi fait l’objet de menaces de la part de la Russie. « Je ne pense pas que les Danois réalisent les conséquences de leur potentielle adhésion à ce système de défense antimissile [de l'Otan, ndlr]. Si cela devait se produire, leurs navires deviendraient la cible de nos missiles nucléaires », avait en effet affirmé l’ambassadeur russe en poste à Copenhague.

Qui plus est, selon un rapport du renseignement militaire danois (Forsvarets Efterretningstjeneste), la Russie aurait simulé, en 2014, le bombardement de l’île Bornholm, au moment où cette dernière accueillait un rassemblement de responsables politiques et de journalistes.


En savoir plus sur http://www.opex360.com/2016/01/23/la-suede-le-danemark-sentendent-sur-accord-militaire/#WUDTWVRPZTX840CB.99

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Archer SPA enters Swedish Army service

Nicholas de Larrinaga, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
04 February 2016





The BAE Systems FH-77 BW L52 Archer (6x6) self-propelled artillery (SPA) system has now entered Swedish Army service, the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) announced on 3 February.

Four Archer 155 mm self-propelled artillery (SPA) systems have now entered service with the Swedish Army's A 9 regiment. (Swedish Armed Forces)

The first four Archer SPAs entered service with the Swedish Army's 9 Artillery Regiment (Artilleriregementet A 9), based at Boden in northern Sweden, on 1 February.

The Archer has been in development since 1995, with Sweden and Norway ordering 24 each in 2010. The handover, described as "long-awaited" by the FMV, comes after delays and the withdrawal of Norway from the programme in 2013. The first pre-serial production Archer was delivered to the FMV in 2013, with the first serial production SPAs being delivered to the FMV in October 2015.

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Archer SPA enters Swedish Army service

Nicholas de Larrinaga, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly

07 February 2016


Four Archer 155 mm self-propelled artillery (SPA) systems have now entered service with the Swedish Army's A 9 regiment. (Swedish Armed Forces)


The BAE Systems FH-77 BW L52 Archer (6x6) self-propelled artillery (SPA) system has now entered Swedish Army service, the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) announced on 3 February.

The first four Archer SPAs entered service with the Swedish Army's 9 Artillery Regiment (Artilleriregementet A 9), based at Boden in northern Sweden, on 1 February.

The Archer has been in development since 1995, with Sweden and Norway ordering 24 each in 2010. The handover, described as "long-awaited" by the FMV, comes after delays and the withdrawal of Norway from the programme in 2013. The first pre-serial production Archer was delivered to the FMV in 2013, with the first serial production SPAs being delivered to the FMV in October 2015.

Deliveries of the remaining 20 Archers to the A 9 regiment's two artillery battalions will continue in 2016 and will be completed in 2017, according to the FMV. Speaking to IHS Jane's on 5 February, the FMV said that an initial operating capability of one Archer battalion is expected in the second half of 2016. Full operating capability should then be declared once deliveries are complete in 2017.

The Archer is a self-propelled conversion of the BAE Systems FH-77 155 mm towed field howitzer. All of the A 9's FH-77s were withdrawn from service in order to convert them into Archer SPAs for Sweden and Norway.

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Artilleriregementet  

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Norrbottens regemente - I 19

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Norrbottens regemente - I 19  

 

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Saab wins a $17.9mn contract to support Swedish Air Force's Gripen fighters

The Sweden-based defence and security company Saab has received an order from the Swedish Defence Material Administration (FMV) to perform support and maintenance for Gripen during 2016 on behalf of the Swedish Armed Forces. The total order value is $17.92 million.


http://worlddefencenews.blogspot.com/

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BAE Systems contract to refurbish 262 CV90 tracked combat vehicles for Swedish Army.

The Swedish government has awarded BAE Systems a contract to refurbish 262 Combat Vehicles 90 (CV90) for the Swedish Army. The company’s work will include refurbishing the chassis and upgrading the vehicle’s survivability and turrets, as well as enhancing combat system performance. Together, these efforts will help increase the vehicles’ lifespan in support of Army capabilities.





http://worlddefencenews.blogspot.com/

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Sweden Plans To Sell Laser-Guided Bombs to France
Gerard O’Dwyer, Defense News 4:39 p.m. EDT March 31, 2016


HELSINKI — Sweden is evaluating a broad new format to provide military support to France’s fight against the Islamic State group across the Middle East.

Part of this new format, which is being devised by the Ministry of Defense (MoD), could see Sweden entering a deal to sell laser-guided bombs and other munitions to France.

The proposal forms part of Sweden’s initial response to a direct request for military assistance from France in the wake of the terrorist attacks on Paris.

The MoD has signaled that it is ready to deliver a first consignment, consisting mainly of US-made laser-guided bombs, to France from the Swedish Armed Forces' (SAF) own arsenal.

The SAF’s arsenal includes an unknown number of GBU-12 Paveway II 227-kilogram laser-guided bombs produced by defense contractors Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. The SAF also has stocks of Raytheon-produced AGM-65 Maverick (Swedish designation RB-75) air-to-ground tactical missiles designed for close-air support.

The GBU-12 Paveway II, based on the 500-pound general-purpose Mk 82 bomb, comprises a nose-mounted laser seeker and fins for guidance purposes.

If the Swedish government follows through on the proposal, deliveries could begin in the second half of 2016. The follow through would require Sweden to enter into a purchase deal with the US to replenish the SAF’s stock of laser-guided bombs.



The MoD has yet to specify how big the delivery to France would be, or the potential value of a future deal. However, any sale will likely be significant both in the number of laser-guided bombs sold and the total cost.

Plans to assist France against the Islamic State group, also known as ISIS or ISIL, is the latest action by Sweden to contribute to US-led coalition efforts to destroy terrorist organizations in the Middle East and in Europe.

Sweden intends to increase the strength of its military force in Mali in support of the United Nations' mission in that country. In addition, France has allocated a heavy transport aircraft for use by France. The Swedish Air Force’s transport fleet includes Boeing C-17 Globemaster III and Lockheed C-130H Hercules aircraft.

France had identified laser-guided bombs in its request to Sweden, according to Swedish Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist.

"France has made such a request. It is high up on its wish list, and Sweden would like to support France and contribute to raising its military capabilities," Hultqvist said.

The MoD’s military support format proposal is expected to be voted on in the Riksdag, Sweden’s national parliament, by the end of June.

The tenure and ambition of the MoD’s military assistance plan for France is gaining strong, cross-party political support.

"France is waging a costly war against ISIL and dangerous like-minded Islamic militant groups. It is important that we support its efforts in a meaningful way. The sale of bombs and other munitions to France is constructive and will help its campaign," Hans Wallmark said.

Wallmark, who is the Moderate Party’s spokesman on defense, said the Swedish government should pursue the sale of laser-guided bombs to France on the basis that the SAF’s arsenal and Sweden’s military capability are not weakened by the eventual solution.

"We would like to go beyond this deal to support France. This should be just one part of a broader support that Sweden will give France in the fight against the global terrorism that [ISIS] represents," Wallmark said.

An agreement covering delivery of laser-guided bombs to France would invariably increase the projection for Sweden’s arms export sales in 2016.

The value of Sweden's arms exports dipped from US $986 million in 2014 to $950 million in 2015, according to data released by Sweden’s Inspectorate for Strategic Products.

Around 80 percent of all weapons and equipment exports were sold to European Union member countries, the United States and Canada.


http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/air-space/strike/2016/03/31/laser-guided-bombs-sweden-france/82469436/

Citation :

Saab to upgrade Swedish Air Force's Air Traffic Management

The Sweden-based defense and security company Saab has signed a three-year agreement with the Swedish Defence Material Administration (FMV) regarding continued maintenance and upgrades of air traffic management- and airport systems at all the Swedish Air Force’s airports and air bases.


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