Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1488818
efforts would be conducted in a manner with no withdrawals or retreats. Both the troops, as well as the civilians were expected to treat any orders asking them to cease resistance as false, regardless of the source or person that gave an order as such. Thus, Sweden was forming its military capabilities with defending the country against a potential landing operation in mind. To do that, the domestic aerospace and defense industry was used (with the aviation industry playing a crucial role). A lot of armament was also being sourced in the West. As a result of these efforts, SAAB Viggen or Draken fighter jets were born, powered with license-manufactured British or US jet engines, and integrated with both Swedish, as well as NATO weapons systems. Sweden, back in the 1940s, launched a nuclear weapons program, along with means of delivery, but ultimately the country resigned from that endeavor, as financial and political costs turned out to be unbearable. Starting from the 1960s, Sweden began to support efforts in the domain of limitation of the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Despite many differences, the Armed Forces of those nations have always been quite alike. Finland, despite the end of the Cold War, did not resign from compulsory conscription. Sweden did that briefly, from 2010 until 2017. Cooperation with NATO was being gradually tightened, also via involvement in NATO peacekeeping efforts - in Afghanistan for instance. The land forces of both nations consist of a light component complemented by heavier elements. Finland maintains 13,000 troops-strong land forces during peacetime, organized as a single armored brigade, two mechanized brigades, and three light infantry brigades, also dealing with training and being subject to mobilization, in the event of war. The numbers above are complemented by territorial defense brigades (6), much bigger battalions, and autonomous territorial companies. The baseline inventory includes 100 Leopard 2A6 main battle tanks, 110 BVP-2, 102 CV9030 infantry fighting vehicles, and 613 different APCs. Artillery is also quite strong, with 672 pieces, including guns, rocket launchers, and mortars (mostly 122/155 mm towed guns, and 81/120 mm mortar systems). The air defense includes NASAMS, Crolate, and RBS 70 SAM systems, Stinger MANPADS, and 23/35 mm AAA. A tender has been announced recently, aimed at the acquisition of longer-range assets. Israeli Barak or David's Sling are being considered as the final bids. Similarly, as in Sweden, 6,500-men strong regiments are the baseline organizational element - they reach their full potential in the event of mobilization. This potential is further enhanced by 40 territorial defense battalions, and 2 coastal defense battalions, one of which was formed last year. These forces have 120 Leopard 2A5 main battle tanks, 411 CV9040 IFVs, and 1064 APCs at their disposal. The artillery component, in 2021, operated 375 guns, and mortars, including 36 Archer self-propelled gun-howitzers. The remainder of the potential is formed by 81 and 120 mm mortars. The air defense component uses RBS-70, RBS- 23, Hawk, and IRIS-T SAM systems belonging to the SHORAD domain. Recently we could have witnessed a procurement of Patriot SAM systems - for two squadrons, replacing the legacy Hawk SAM. www.fragoutmag.com