The War Scientist on the Goals: The Ambition is Too Low

The ambition is too low and the pace too slow when Sweden's defense is being armed, believes war scholar Oscar Jonsson. It is not sufficient considering the global development, he says.

» Published: October 15 2024

The War Scientist on the Goals: The Ambition is Too Low
Photo: Claudio Bresciani / TT

Defense Minister Pål Jonson (M) likens the new plan for defense reinforcement to a stem replacement rather than a facade renovation.

A description that Oscar Jonsson, researcher in war science at the Defense University, agrees with.

This is what is needed. Everything from ammunition to logistics - it doesn't make big headlines, but it's what's needed for capability. You can't get away from it.

He points out that previous defense decisions have created imbalances in the Defense Forces.

It has never really hung together. You've increased ambitions but then the defense doesn't get the resources for it and then the conditions change.

The clearest thing is that the 2020 defense decision has not been implemented, we haven't reached the goal with what was ordered then.

Lacking several capabilities

Therefore, today's defense proposition is quite similar to the previous defense decision. The framework for how all three defense branches should develop is essentially the same.

At the same time, there is a completely different world situation today. In 2020, Russia had not launched its large-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Oscar Jonsson is critical that Sweden has not incorporated the lessons from the war more. Among other things, he lacks investments in electronic warfare.

A electronic warfare battalion is proposed, while in the war in Ukraine it is a breadth capability that exists in all units along the front. It's one of the most common ways to take down drones.

He is also critical that they are not investing more in their own drones.

We knew this two years ago, that this is a permanent part of all warfare on the front. It needs to get out to almost all units to develop tactics and exercise.

"Can't lean back"

Another capability he believes is lacking is more air defense.

It's what keeps Ukraine alive. Now we're going to acquire 2.5 brigade air defense, which is basically self-protection for the brigades, which is good, but it's not an increase in ambition for long-range air defense.

In contrast, Poland placed an order last summer for four times the entire Swedish long-range air defense, he points out.

The Defense Minister notes that Sweden is now part of NATO's integrated missile and air defense. But that only helps to some extent, according to Oscar Jonsson.

We can't in any way lean back and think that it will solve itself.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Summer House Buyers Urged to
3 MIN READ

Summer House Buyers Urged to Consider Climate Risks in Sweden

Traffic Resumes in Stockholm Tunnel
1 MIN READ

Traffic Resumes in Stockholm Tunnel After Lorry Accident

Kristersson Praises Brandberg's Efforts on
1 MIN READ

Kristersson Praises Brandberg's Efforts on Gender Equality and Safety

Liberals' Jakob Olofsgård Steps Down
1 MIN READ

Liberals' Jakob Olofsgård Steps Down as Party Secretary

Paulina Brandberg Steps Down as
3 MIN READ

Paulina Brandberg Steps Down as Minister to Prioritize Family Life

Virtual Reality Offers New Hope
5 MIN READ

Virtual Reality Offers New Hope for Phantom Pain Relief

Sweden Delays Joining Global Ocean
2 MIN READ

Sweden Delays Joining Global Ocean Protection Treaty

Sweden Allocates 71 Million Kronor
2 MIN READ

Sweden Allocates 71 Million Kronor to Support Helicopter Rescue Services

Social Democrats Propose State Investment
1 MIN READ

Social Democrats Propose State Investment Bank to Boost Growth

Green Party Proposes Emissions Trading
2 MIN READ

Green Party Proposes Emissions Trading to Replace Reduction Obligation

Västra Götaland Director Steps Down
1 MIN READ

Västra Götaland Director Steps Down After Journal System Setback

Sweden Boosts Workplace Inspections to
2 MIN READ

Sweden Boosts Workplace Inspections to Combat Rising Crime

Man Faces Charges for Online
1 MIN READ

Man Faces Charges for Online Child Sexual Offenses in Sweden

Man Sentenced to Psychiatric Care
3 MIN READ

Man Sentenced to Psychiatric Care for Ica Maxi Employee Murder

Sweden Prioritizes Journalist's Release After
2 MIN READ

Sweden Prioritizes Journalist's Release After Arrest in Turkey

Rise in Children Contacting Bris
1 MIN READ

Rise in Children Contacting Bris About Eating Disorders Concerns Experts

Sweden Sees Lowest Deadly Violence
2 MIN READ

Sweden Sees Lowest Deadly Violence Cases in a Decade

New Tool Empowers Parents to
1 MIN READ

New Tool Empowers Parents to Combat Online Grooming Risks

Elderly Man's Death in Ale
1 MIN READ

Elderly Man's Death in Ale Sparks Murder Investigation

Prince Carl Philip's Secret Alias
1 MIN READ

Prince Carl Philip's Secret Alias Exposed in Sportadmin Data Breach

Child Abuse Images Discovered on
1 MIN READ

Child Abuse Images Discovered on Computer at Swedish Repair Shop

Explosion Rocks Trollhättan Apartment Building,
1 MIN READ

Explosion Rocks Trollhättan Apartment Building, No Injuries Reported

Teenager Seriously Injured in Highway
1 MIN READ

Teenager Seriously Injured in Highway Collision with A-Tractor

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Moved
1 MIN READ

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Moved to High-Security Turkish Prison

SMHI Warns of High Grass
1 MIN READ

SMHI Warns of High Grass Fire Risk in Sweden's Snow-Free Regions

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Arrested
1 MIN READ

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Arrested in Turkey, Press Freedom at Risk

Man in His 30s Found
1 MIN READ

Man in His 30s Found Dead Outdoors in Norrköping; Murder Investigation Launched

Police Car and Fire Truck
1 MIN READ

Police Car and Fire Truck Crash on E4 Injures Officers

Sweden Prioritizes Journalist's Release After
2 MIN READ

Sweden Prioritizes Journalist's Release After Arrest in Turkey

Europol Looks to Sweden for
2 MIN READ

Europol Looks to Sweden for Tackling Digital Gang Crime

Woman Dies After Clothes Catch
1 MIN READ

Woman Dies After Clothes Catch Fire in Strömstad Residence

Spring Warmth to Sweep Sweden
1 MIN READ

Spring Warmth to Sweep Sweden with Temperatures Over 20 Degrees

Prehistoric Wasp Used Plant-Like Trap
3 MIN READ

Prehistoric Wasp Used Plant-Like Trap to Capture Prey, Study Reveals

Turkey Accuses Swedish Journalist of
3 MIN READ

Turkey Accuses Swedish Journalist of Terrorism and Anti-Turkish Reporting

Elderly Woman Airlifted After Clothes
1 MIN READ

Elderly Woman Airlifted After Clothes Catch Fire at Swedish Hospital

Swedes Struggle as Food Prices
4 MIN READ

Swedes Struggle as Food Prices Soar: 200 Kronor Gift Cards Run Out

Police Push for Expanded Surveillance
3 MIN READ

Police Push for Expanded Surveillance Powers on Minors in Sweden

Siblings in Sweden Marvel at
1 MIN READ

Siblings in Sweden Marvel at Rare Solar Eclipse with Welding Masks

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Expected
2 MIN READ

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Expected to Be Released Soon in Turkey

Police Struggle to Keep Up
3 MIN READ

Police Struggle to Keep Up as Online Radicalization Surges