ÖB: Sweden may have a heavy role in NATO's defense

TT

Updated 09.44 | Published 07.41

  

Commander-in-Chief Michael Claesson in Visby during the politicians' week in Almedalen. Photo: Anders Wiklund/TT

The US is planning to withdraw, among other things, fighter jets and ships from NATO's defense of Europe.

This could mean a greater role for Sweden in NATO's future defense plans, according to Sweden's Commander-in-Chief (ÖB) Michael Claesson.

ÖB notes that Sweden is already seen as a model ally, with both military and economic strength.

- So it's clear that you see a heavy role for Sweden, he says.

- We can probably expect that, just like other allies, but in relation to economic strength and population, we will receive additional targets.

Just under a month ago, the US distributed a document to allies with plans for a reduction in US military capabilities currently at NATO's disposal.

Difficult to replace

According to ÖB, the US reallocation is in many ways "not that insanely dramatic"

- But there are individual capabilities that are very important.

According to media reports, the US wants to reduce the number of F16 and F15 fighter jets from around 150 to around 100, reduce aerial refueling planes, move an aircraft carrier and retain fewer long-range reconnaissance drones.

Claesson does not want to go into the content of the classified document.

- I can only state that there are capabilities in this list that could be more or less difficult to replace quickly in various ways.

Clear messages

ÖB instead points to what is important in current American contributions, such as aircraft carriers, air defense against ballistic missiles, command and control capabilities and satellites.

At the NATO summit in Ankara on July 7-8, he hopes for such clear messages about the US plans that other NATO countries can begin to plan for how military resources that are being removed can be replaced.

If the US withdraws large naval resources, it could, above all, have consequences for the defense of northern Europe with the Atlantic and the Baltic Sea.

– It is clear that it is in the direction of danger when it comes to qualified naval resources, says Claesson.

Takes time

He hopes for an orderly process that follows NATO's regular planning. Every four years, NATO countries receive updated requirements from NATO regarding what military resources they should be able to provide. Sweden received its so-called capability goals last year.

After that, the countries will have several years to meet the requirements, depending on what is involved.

– You cannot ask to establish an aircraft carrier group, for example, in two years, says Claesson.

He does not rule out that, in addition to new national capability goals, some calibration of NATO's defense plans may also be needed.

The most important thing at the summit, according to ÖB, is that NATO shows unity and determination.

– If there is reason from the Russian side to question cohesion, then there is a possible risk that it will be interpreted as weakness, a weakness that means that Russia increases its own risk appetite, he says.