Proposals on restructuring the Swedish armed forces will be submitted to the Swedish Government on 12 October. The plans will reflect Sweden's shift in stance from maintaining a neutral defence posture to participating in international peacekeeping operations. Maj Gen Jan Jonsson, Swedish air force Inspector General, says the restructuring will involve changes in force structure, reductions in readiness and revisions of procurement priorities.
Wargaming exercises based around Swedish participation in peacekeeping operations have revealed an urgent requirement for precision-guided munitions (PGMs), he says, while the need for a beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air missile has lessened. "The shift is toward PGMs," Jonsson says. "BVR did not score so well because of the complex rules of engagement in peacekeeping operations."
Sweden is expected to delay procurement of an extended-range air-to-air missile for the air force's Saab JAS39 Gripen fighters while it acquires PGMs. Laser-guided bombs and targeting pods will be purchased initially, says Jonsson, explaining that the Maverick air-to-surface missiles now carried by the Gripens are not suited to peacekeeping operations. Sweden hopes to have PGM capability on the Gripen by 2003.
The air force also plans to modify its Saab 340B airborne early warning (AEW) and Gulfstream IV signals intelligence (SIGINT) aircraft to allow out-of-area operations. Additional operator consoles will be installed in the 340s, which carry the Ericsson Erieye phased-array radar, to enable airborne command and control. Sweden is also looking at equipping ships with AEW and SIGINT ground stations to facilitate out-of-area operations.
Another study nearing completion is looking at Sweden's sensor requirements for 2010-20. This has identified requirements to expand the capability of the Erieye-equipped 340s with extra radar modes. Jonsson says Sweden is also looking at using aerostats, each carrying two Erieyes arranged in an X-configuration, to replace ground- based air defence radars.
Source: Flight International
