On Tuesday, the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration signed a contract worth 2 billion kronor to purchase the Iris-T air defense system, or fire unit 98 as the defence calls it.
In addition, 1.5 billion SEK will go towards vehicles and systems on which the robot will be mounted.
It is a powerful reinforcement of our air defense, says Minister of Defense Pål Jonson (M) at a press conference at the Air Defense Regiment in Halmstad.
The systems are used, among other things, to shoot down fighter jets, cruise missiles and various forms of drones.
“Central part”
In addition to air defense systems, the investments also include radar systems, spare parts and new command systems.
For example, the radar can detect drones no larger than a milk carton more than four kilometers away, says Jonson.
The new brigade air defense will go to Norrbotten's Regiment I19 and Skaraborg's Regiment P4. It is stated that it corresponds to the need for four platoons with short-range air defense capability.
According to the Minister of Defense, the new systems will be a central part of completing Sweden's four brigades.
The systems will go primarily to the two brigades that will operate in Norrland, he says.
FMV estimates that the systems can be in place in 2028.
Low altitude
Fire Unit 98 primarily protects a brigade against threats coming from low altitude. According to the government, the new investment complements the longer-range Iris-T systems that were ordered this summer.
In recent months alone, we have placed orders for over 20 billion, and we will need to place further orders for an expanded air defense capability, says Pål Jonson.
It has to do with both the demands that NATO places on Sweden but also the experiences from the war in Ukraine, he says.
The money now being invested is not new but has previously been announced in the defense budget.
Here is the equipment being procured:
16 launch systems for robots
8 short-range radar systems
Platoon leadership vehicle
Company command vehicle
Combat control centers
Modification of existing tracked Iris-T systems
Spare parts
Training
Source: Government
