Sweden, with its territory of about 150 thousand square kilometers and a coastline of almost 3220 kilometers, has an active army of 20 thousand people, which is why it is considered the most poorly protected country of the so-called Scandinavian four - Sweden, Finland, Norway and Denmark. Therefore, it is no secret to anyone that the Swedish army is perhaps too small to defend the territory of their country.

Most Swedes didn't seem to care too much about this, at least not until Russia annexed Crimea and began holding much larger military exercises across Europe.

Now, against the backdrop of the rapidly changing security situation in the Baltic states - and given the report that during military exercises the Russian military practiced a mock invasion of Swedish territory - the government and the public in Sweden are trying to come to terms with the idea that the enemy can actually appear in this quiet and peaceful corner of the planet.

The Swedes are increasingly concerned about the state of their country's defense capability. Over the past two years, Russian aircraft have been maneuvering close to Swedish airspace, and last October there was a widely publicized—and inconclusive—search in Swedish territorial waters for a foreign submarine believed to be Russian.

And last week, a report by the Center for European Policy Analysis was published, which said that Russia had conducted a major military exercise involving more than 30,000 troops, which practiced operations to seize the Swedish island of Gotland, which occupies an important strategic position. The report's author, The Economist editor-in-chief Edward Lucas, says he received information about the exercise from "NATO sources."

“It is common knowledge that Russia is conducting larger, more complex and in some cases more provocative exercises,” Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist said last week in response to the Lucas report. “We must respond to these events, so now we are going to strengthen our military capabilities.”

However, the size, potential and combat effectiveness of the Swedish armed forces have become the object of harsh criticism from a number of experts, including retired Lieutenant Colonel Johan Wiktorin, a leading Swedish security consultant. The Swedish military is "simply too small to defend its territory," he argues.

Because of these concerns, action is already being taken to change the military budget. Parliament called for an increase in defense spending to SEK 10.2 billion (about $1.2 billion), or about 1.2% of the country's GDP. Although this is still much less than the amount that the Ministry of Defense originally asked for, and the funds that NATO recommends allocating for military needs to its partners, one of which is Sweden.

Swedish mentality

More important are changes in public consciousness. According to a public opinion poll conducted in January by the Civil Defense Office, 57% of Swedes were in favor of increasing the military budget - the highest in the history of these polls - while only 30% of respondents expressed confidence in the policies pursued by the government.

There is also a growing level of support for joining NATO, which for a long time was unthinkable in a country that has long prided itself on its military independence. A survey conducted in January by Dagens Nyheter showed that 37% of respondents were in favor of joining the alliance, up 5% from last year. 47% of respondents are still against joining NATO.

Such changes were not easy in a country that had not actually been at war since the time of Napoleon. “A serious problem,” says Swedish military commentator Oscar Jonsson, “is the Swedish mentality, based on the idea that a regional armed conflict will not happen, that Sweden will not be affected by the situation and can be resolved peacefully. As a result, the question of defense was not actually considered important for some time.

Swedish exceptionalism or the Swedish mentality was not such a problem during the Cold War, when Sweden allocated 3% of its GDP to the needs of its large and well-equipped armed forces - including an army of 350,000 people.

The relevant problem, according to Lieutenant Colonel Wiktorin and others, was that in 2010 Sweden decided to abandon conscription and switched to a contract professional army.

“For comparison, look at Finland, where conscription continues to be widely supported by the population due to the understandable and very obvious value of conscripted service in protecting society,” says Keir Giles, Associate Analyst for the Russian-Eurasian Program at the London-based think tank Chatham House. Finland has a professional army of 37 thousand people, in the reserve of the first stage of which there are 350 thousand men and women. “When military duty is abolished, we sacrifice the conscious attitude that the people have towards the army.”

Mr. Jonsson, who served in Afghanistan with the Swedish contingent, says that the concept of defending the homeland, including the island of Gotland, has gradually disappeared. “We very recklessly abandoned the organization of territorial defense, without retaining the potential and logistics, which could be very effective at low financial costs,” he said.

Are you still combat-ready?

The command of the Swedish army, of course, welcomes the renewed attention to the defense. “Defense issues have not been of particular interest to Swedish society for quite a long time,” said General Michael Claesson, deputy head of the planning and development of principles for the combat use of forces and means of the Swedish army, in his exclusive interview given at army headquarters in Stockholm . “However, as the security situation in our region deteriorated, the situation began to change.”

Claesson does not agree that an imminent threat looms over Sweden from any country. “However,” he argues, “with regard to Russia, we are witnessing a significant change in its military strategy, as well as a lowering of the threshold for the use of military force to achieve political goals.”

He also said that the Swedish army "still has a high combat capability - both as an independent army and in alliance with our partners" in NATO. And yet, given the small size and dispersion of the contingent of the Swedish army (which, including the national guard and reservists, has only 50 thousand people), as well as the heterogeneous quality of military equipment, many are wondering how high this combat capability is.

Mr. Gills of the Chatham House think tank is sympathetic to the challenges the Swedish army is facing in a country that until recently did not feel the need to provide strong territorial defense. “The armed forces of Sweden are doing their best in the face of the persistent opinion over the past several decades that their raison d'être is not to defend Sweden.”

Or, as Dagens Nyheter New York correspondent Martin Giles put it, “In the post-Cold War era, the idea that Sweden needed a strong army became a side issue. However, now - partly in response to the growing perception that Vladimir Putin is dangerous and acts irrationally - this idea is becoming relevant again.

Compulsory military service in Sweden was abolished in 2010. However, after 8 years, Sweden will again return to compulsory military service.

On March 2, 2017, the Swedish government approved the decision to resume compulsory military service, starting in 2018. Boys and girls who are 18 years of age will be called up for military service. The service life will be 1 year.

One of the main reasons for the resumption of military conscription is the inertia of the Swedes towards military service. Despite the widespread call to replenish the armed forces, the Swedes do not voluntarily seek to serve. This led, according to Swedish Defense Minister Peter Hultkvist, to understaffing of military units. According to official figures, in 2016 the country's armed forces were short of 1,000 active soldiers and sailors, as well as 7,000 reservists.

At the same time, the majority of Swedish citizens support the resumption of compulsory military conscription. A poll conducted in 2016 showed that about 72% of Swedes welcome the idea of ​​returning conscription to military service, only 16% were against it.

One of the factors behind the return of military conscription is the disruption of the stable situation in the Baltic region. Russian planes fly too close to the Swedish border, and according to Swedish intelligence reports, there are Russian spies operating in Sweden. And the Swedish side is not sure that the United States, led by President Trump, will come to the aid of Sweden in the event of a difficult military situation.

According to the Minister of Defense, about 4,000 people will be drafted into the army in 2018, primarily volunteers. Gradually, the number of conscripts is planned to be increased to 8,000 people a year. Young people born in 1999-2000 will be the first to be drafted.

It is noteworthy that the main focus is on explaining and motivating young people, and not on fines and sanctions.

SWEDEN the basis of its security policy was the principle of "non-participation in military-political alliances in peacetime in order to maintain neutrality in the war." Strict observance of it allowed the country to stay away from military conflicts for about two hundred years. The most important factors in ensuring neutrality are considered to be a strong national defense and the willingness of the population to defend their country.

Sweden is an economically developed power, its GDP in 2017 reached 542 billion dollars, the military budget - 5.96 billion dollars. (1.1% of GDP), The population is 9.96 million people. The area of ​​the country is 449.96 thousand square meters. km. The length of the land border with Norway and Finland is 2205 km (including with the latter - 614 km), and the coastline is 3218 km. Through the Baltic Sea, Sweden borders Russia, the Baltic States, Poland, Germany and Denmark. The terrain in the southern part of Sweden is mainly open flat, in the central part it is hilly and wooded, in the northern part it is forest and mountainous. Forests occupy 53% of the country's territory, and rivers and lakes - St. ten%.

During the Cold War, in order to most effectively use society's resources to organize a rebuff to a potential aggressor, a general (total) defense system was created, the basis of which was small regular armed forces, which, in the event of an attack, were to be built up at the expense of a trained reserve. This was ensured by the preservation of military service.

After the collapse of the Warsaw Pact and the USSR, the course of the country was revised and debate began on the advisability of continuing the policy of neutrality. In 1994, Sweden joined the NATO Partnership for Peace program, in 1995 joined the EU, and in 1997 a new Military Doctrine was adopted that consolidated the transition from total to "adapted defense", which provided for the level of combat capability and combat readiness of the Armed Forces to be probable threats to national security, as well as the ability to allocate military units to the international peacekeeping forces. In 2001, a program for the development of the Armed Forces until 2010 was approved, where, along with maintaining neutrality, a departure from it was not ruled out in the future. Instead of relying on "self-defense" and "armed neutrality", the principle of "guaranteed security" was adopted, implying the possibility of external assistance, since "in the event of aggression against Sweden, democratic states will not leave her without their support." Even then, among the most important threats to Sweden, the unpredictability of Russia's foreign policy was indicated. At that time, Sweden supported the NATO operation against Yugoslavia, plans to expand military cooperation within the EU and became an active participant in peacekeeping operations under the auspices of NATO. However, at the same time, in 2010, the idea that “there would be no war with the Russians” prevailed in the country, and conscription into the Armed Forces was canceled.

Since 2014, due to the deterioration of relations between the West and Russia, Sweden announced the beginning of a period of increased defense spending and a new reform of the Armed Forces. It provided for the return of conscription to the Armed Forces from January 1, 2018 and their increase to 50 thousand people. by 2019. As the Swedish Minister of Defense P. Hultqvist stated: “We are faced with the fact that Russia has annexed Crimea, we are seeing aggression against Ukraine, and we are seeing a growing number of exercises near our borders. Therefore, we decided to strengthen the national defense. And the decision to return the conscription is part of that plan.” And following the results of the work of the defense commission, at the end of 2017, it was proposed to revive the concept of "total defense", which provided for "total mobilization of the country and planning how to direct all the forces of society to repel, in the worst case scenario, potential military aggression" . Detailed plans for this were developed during the Cold War. To implement the concept of "total defense", in addition to increasing spending on defense and reform of the Armed Forces, it will be necessary to allocate annually 48.85 million dollars in 2018-2020, and 515 million dollars each in 2021-2025. These funds will be used to create infrastructure, train the population and counter-propaganda.

According to the concept of the new “total defense”, it is planned to mobilize the Armed Forces and territorial troops within a week after the attack on the country, and then hold back the enemy’s onslaught for another 3 months until large ground forces of the United States and NATO countries arrive to help the Swedes recapture the territory captured by the enemy. But at the same time, only 40% of respondents were in favor of Sweden joining NATO.

The main tasks of the Swedish Armed Forces, according to its Military Doctrine:

• ensuring the defense of the country in the event of an armed attack;
• willingness to accept and provide military assistance;
• participation in the process of international crisis management and preventing the spread of conflicts to areas adjacent to Swedish territory;
• ensuring the protection of the country's population from non-military threats.

In peacetime, the main task of the Swedish Armed Forces is to protect the country's territory and train personnel.

In 2000, the sun Sweden had 52.7 thousand people, and the reserves included 570 thousand people. under the age of 47. The Armed Forces were organized on a territorial basis into 3 unified commands: Southern, Central and Northern. Each of them had a division and several areas of defense of the SV, aviation and naval commands (in the Central - 2 marine) and logistics regiments.

The term of service in the Army and the Navy was 7-15 months, and in the Air Force - 8-12 months. Up to 48 thousand reservists were called up annually for a short period (officers for 31 days, non-commissioned officers and specialists for 24, others for 17). During their stay in the reserve, they participated in 5 exercises and additional mobilization training.

Sun now have 29.75 thousand people. operational forces, and since the beginning of 2018, the draft has been restored again. Its organization, apparently, will be similar to the one that existed in 2000.

In 2000 G SW in peacetime, 35.1 thousand people read. (including 24.2 thousand conscripts and reservists), and reserves (including in the formations of local defense and "hemvern") - 450 thousand people. There were 3 divisions in the SV, uniting 13 brigades (6 mechanized, 4 infantry, 3 arctic) and 3 artillery regiments (12 in total). Such a division could have 3-5 brigades (1-3 mechanized, 2-3 infantry or arctic) and 1 artillery regiment. The armament of the SV included 537 tanks, 1063 armored combat vehicles (1856 infantry fighting vehicles and 646 armored personnel carriers), 1050 artillery systems of St. 100 mm (501 guns, 24 joint ventures, 525 mortars), 55+ anti-tank systems, 600 memory units.

mechanized brigade in 2000 it included 5 squadrons (4 mechanized, rear), 2 squadrons (artillery and air defense) and 4 companies (headquarters, communications, reconnaissance with 6 tanks and 6 infantry fighting vehicles, anti-tank with 6 anti-tank systems). There were 6 companies in the mechanized b-no (headquarters with 6 120-mm mortars, 3 ZSU CV9040AD and 4 KShM Stripbv90, 2 tank companies with 14 Leopard 2 and 1 BREM Buffel, 2 mechanized with 14 BMP CV9040 and rear). The brigade had a total of 118 tanks, 118 infantry fighting vehicles, 24 120-mm mortars, 12 155-mm FH77 howitzers, 6 ITOW anti-tank systems, 12 ZSU, 9 Lvrbbv 701 self-propelled air defense systems and 9 RB-90 air defense systems.

The AF was then downsized and transformed to provide for the formation of two brigade-sized operational forces, the composition of which depends on operational requirements.

In 2007, there were already 2 brigade headquarters in the SV, which could be attached to the following combined arms units (not counting other units): 4 mechanized types 122/90 (28 Leopard 2 tanks and 28 CV9040A infantry fighting vehicles each), 4 mechanized type 90 on infantry fighting vehicles CV9040A, 1 motorized infantry on the Pasi APC, 1 light infantry, 1 airborne and 2 battalion-sized special forces units. Type 90 mechanized battalion had 3 companies of 3 platoons (3 infantry fighting vehicles in each) and a platoon with 4 Bv2062 armored personnel carriers and RBS-57 Bill anti-tank systems.

Now in SW 6.85 thousand people operational forces.

Administrative organization SW includes armored, mechanized, artillery formations and units, air defense and combat support units. Now the SV has the headquarters of two mechanized brigades, as well as 10 training and mobilization regiments (UMP, 2 combined arms, 2 armored, reconnaissance and sabotage, artillery, air defense, command and communications, engineering and logistics). On the basis of these UMPs, 22 departments are formed. b-on (d-on) and 12 otd. mouth.

brigade- the main tactical unit of the Swedish Army, designed to conduct combat operations independently or in cooperation with other types of aircraft. Brigades are the core for the formation of units in the event of the transition of the Armed Forces to wartime states. The 2nd and 3rd mechanized brigades (formed during a threatened period or with the outbreak of war by the Skaraborg and Norrbotten regiments) are the main combat tactical formations of the SV. When brigades are deployed, all combat-ready subunits and units of the SV are subordinate to them.

Regiment- the main part of the NE of Sweden. In peacetime, all regiments are training and mobilization and are training centers for military branches that train conscripts, as well as reservists. On the basis of a number of regiments, there are training centers (schools) where specialists from military branches are trained, research work is carried out, and methods for training and using weapons and military equipment are developed. The regiments serve as a base for the training of personnel and the mobilization deployment of wartime units. The main part of the weapons and military equipment of subunits and units deployed on the basis of regiments is stored in the warehouses of the logistics department of the Armed Forces.

Training and mobilization regiments are shown below. They form:

• 1st Life Guards Infantry UMP (Kungsengen, 30 km from Stockholm): two b-on (guards, 12th motorized infantry, 13th security) and two military police companies (14th and 15th);
• 19th Norrbotten Infantry UMP (Boden): three battalions (191st and 192nd mechanized, 193rd Jaeger) and 3rd tank company;
• 7th Yuzhnoskonsky armored UMp (Revingehead): two mechanized battalions (71st and 72nd);
• 4th Skaraborg armored UMp (Shovde): two mechanized battalions (41st and 42nd), two tank companies (1st and 2nd), 18th battle group (for the defense of Gotland) ;
• 3rd (Life Guards) Hussars reconnaissance and sabotage UMP (Karlsborg): two b-on (31st airmobile and 32nd reconnaissance);
• 9th Artillery UMP (Boden): two artillery d-on (91st and 92nd);
• 6th Goetsky air defense anti-aircraft regiment (Halmstad): two air defense d-ns (61st and 62nd);
• UMP control and communications (Enkoping);
• 2nd Gotland Engineering UMP (Eksjo): two engineering battalions (21st and 22nd);
• 2nd logistics support (Shovde).

Operational forces include 2 brigade headquarters, which can be assigned the following units: 12 squadrons (5 mechanized, motorized infantry, light infantry (jaeger), airborne (airmobile), reconnaissance, security and 2 engineering), 4 squadrons (2 artillery and 2 air defense), 7 companies (3 tank, 2 military police, RKhBZ, transport), etc. The reserves include 40 units of territorial troops (hemvern).

In 2000 the Air Force peacetime had 8.4 thousand people (including 2.6 thousand conscripts and 1.8 thousand reservists) and 250 combat aircraft JAS-39, JA-37, AJS-37, AJSH-37, AJSF -37 (8 squadrons), 15 combat training SK-37s, 2 RTR aircraft and 6 AWACS, 13 transport, 144 training and 120 helicopters. The annual flight time of the pilots was 110-140 hours. The Air Force included 3 aviation commands: Southern, Central and Northern. The STRIK air defense system of semi-automatic observation and control coordinated all parts of the air defense.

Now Air Force peacetime have 2.7 thousand people. and 97 combat aircraft, annual flight time of pilots 100-150 hours. As part of the Air Force:

• Skaraborg Air Wing (F 7, Lidköping);
• Bleking Air Wing (F 17, Ronneby);
• Norrbotten Air Wing (F 21, Luleå);
• Helicopter air wing (3 squadrons);
• Air Force Academy.

In total, the Air Force has 6 squadrons of JAS 39C / D Gripen multi-role fighters, a transport, reconnaissance and AWACS squadron (C-130H, KC-130H, Gulfstream IV SRA-4 (S-102B); S-100B / D Argus), 3 helicopter squadrons (AW109, AW109M, NH90 (SAR / ASW), UH-60M Black Hawk), training unit with Sk-60, fighter guidance and air surveillance bn.

In 2000, the Navy peacetime had 9.2 thousand people (including 4.2 thousand reservists). The Navy included 4 naval commands (Western, Southern, Eastern and Northern) and they included a flotilla of submarines (9 units), 2 flotillas of combat boats (20 missile and 25 patrol boats), a flotilla of minelayers and 2 detachment. minesweepers (20 units), 120 landing craft and 23 auxiliary vessels.

Peacetime coastal defense forces had 1.1 thousand people. In wartime, it was planned to deploy 6 brigades (including 2 mobile coastal artillery). In total, they included 6 amphibious bases, 3 mobile bases and 12 stationary ones, a mobile missile battery.

Now the Navy peacetime have 2.1 thousand people. (1250 fleet and 850 amphibious forces). As part of the Navy:

• 1st submarine flotilla (Karlskrona): 5 (3 Gotland types; 2 Sodermanland types);
• 3rd warship flotilla (Karlskrona): 6 (4 Visby-class corvettes, 2 Stockholm-class missile boats);
• 4th Warship Flotilla (Haninge): 3 (1 Visby-class corvette, 2 Göteborg-class missile boats + 2 in reserve);
• 1st amphibious regiment (Haninge): amphibious bn (12 81-mm M / 86 mortars and 8 RBS-17 Hellfire anti-tank systems);
• Naval Academy (Karlskrona).

Base points include 6 naval bases (Naval Base) (Karlskrona, Muskö, Gothenburg, Malmö, Visby, Hernösand).

Special Forces have 2 groups (special operations and combat support).

The rest of the troops(18.1 thousand people) include management bodies, formations of combat and rear support, incl. EW bn and part of psychological operations, 3 bn (2 rear and repair), 5 companies (transport and 4 medical), as well as other formations.

Paramilitary forces(750 people) include the coast guard, which has 25 patrol ships and boats, 2 landing craft and 3 DHC-8Q-300 aircraft.

Voluntary Auxiliary Organizations have 21.4 thousand people.

Armament The Swedish Armed Forces are given in Table. 2

table 2

Weapon classes	Numbers and types of weapons
SW: Tanks	129:9 Leopard2A4; 120Leopard2A5
BMP tracked	354CV9040
armored personnel carrier tracked	431: 281 Pbv 302; 150 BvS10 MkII
armored personnel carriers wheeled	315: 34 XA-180; 20XA-202; 148 XA-203; 113 AMV
BA MRAP	360RG-32M
Self-propelled howitzers	8 155 mm FH-77 BW L52 Archers
mortars	296: 212 81mm M/86, 84 120mm M/41D
ATGM	ITOW
SAM	16 MIM-23B Hawk launchers
MANPADS	350 MANPADS RBS-70
ZSU	30 Strv 90LV
Air Force: Multirole fighters	97 JAS 39 C/ D Gripen(including 14 leased by the Czech Republic)
Fighter armament	UR V-Z AGM-65; anti-ship missiles RBS-15F; UB GBU-12; GBU-39 UR V-V AIM-9L; IRIS-T; AIM-120B; meteor
Aircraft RTR	2 Gulfstream IV SRA-4 (S-102B)
AWACS aircraft	3: 1 S-100B Argus; 2 S-100D Argus
tanker aircraft	1 KC-130H Hercules
Transport aircraft	8:5 C-130H Hercules; 2 Saab 340; 1 Gulfstream 550 VIP
training aircraft	67 Sk-60W
Helicopters	5 submarines NH90 ASW; 48 trans.: 15 UH-60M; 13NH90 TTH; 12AW109;
UAV	8 RQ-7 Shadow
Navy: Submarines	5: 3 Gotland; 2 Sodermanland
Corvettes	5 Visby
missile boats	4:2 Göteborg; 2 Stockholm
Combat boats	129 Combat Boat 90E/H/HS
Patrol boats	9 Tapper
minesweepers	7:5 Koster; 2 Sparö
Landing craft	11:8 Trossbat; 3 Griffon 8100TD
Amphibious forces	12 M/86 mortars; 8 SCRC RBS-17 Hellfire

Armament SV:

The tanks include the German Leopard 2A4 and Leopard 2A5 (the latter were built under license in Sweden). There are 42 tanks in service, the rest are in reserve and training.

BMPs are represented by modern Swedish CV9040 vehicles with 40mm guns. On their basis, ZSU, KShM, advanced artillery observers vehicle, BREM were issued.

Tracked armored personnel carriers include Swedish vehicles (obsolete Pbv302 and modern articulated for arctic conditions BvS10 MkII).

Wheeled armored personnel carriers are represented by the Finnish XA-180, XA-202, XA-203 and AMV.

Wheeled MRAP BAs include the RG-32M from South Africa.

Self-propelled howitzers are represented by modern Swedish FH-77 BW L52 Archer (24 units are planned in total).

The mortars are Swedish M/86 and M/41D.

ATGMs include American ITOW. It is planned to purchase a foreign ATGM (French MMP or Israeli Spike-LR).

The air defense systems are represented by obsolete American MIM-23B Hawk systems, and MANPADS by the Swedish RBS-70. To replace the Hawk air defense system is planned in 2020-2025. purchase 4 Patriot air defense systems battery packs in the USA (4 AN / MPQ-65 radars, 4 AN / MSQ-132 battery CPs, 12 M903 launchers, 100 MIM-104E GEM-T missiles, 200 PAC-3 MSE missiles, 4 EPP field power plants III and 9 antenna-mast devices.It was reported about the purchase of German short-range air defense systems Iris-T SLS (Rbs 98) based on the Swedish Bv-410 armored personnel carrier and with the Swedish Giraffe AMV radar since 2018.

SPAAGs include Swedish 40mm Strv 90LV mounts.

Aircraft and helicopters of the Air Force:

Multirole fighters include the Swedish JAS 39C/D Gripen. They are planned to be deeply upgraded to the level of JAS 39E / F generation 4 ++ (ordered 60 units)

The armament of the fighters is modern, it is represented by the American AGM-65 air-to-ground missiles and the Swedish RBS-15F anti-ship missiles, American GBU-12 and GBU-39 guided bombs, American AIM-9L and AIM-120B air-to-air missiles, European IRIS-T and Meteor. A multi-purpose missile defense system RBS-15Mk4 (anti-ship missiles and for engaging ground targets) with a range of up to 1000 km is being developed, which can be used for strategic non-nuclear deterrence and will enter service from 2026.

There are modern aircraft (RTR Gulfstream IV SRA-4 (S-102B) and AWACS S-100 / D Argus), as well as an American tanker aircraft KC-130H Hercules.

Transport aircraft include American C-130H and Gulfstream 550 (VIP), Swedish Saab 340.

Training aircraft are Swedish Sk-60W.

Helicopters include modern European anti-submarine NH90 ASW and modern transport: American UH-60M, European NH90 TTH, AW109 and AW109M.

UAVs include American RQ-7 Shadow systems.

Submarines, ships and boats of the Navy(all Swedish):

Air-independent submarines include the new Gotland type (4 533 mm TT and 2 400 mm TT) and Sodermanland (6 533 mm TT). 2 new submarines of the A26 type have been ordered, which should be delivered to the Navy in 2022 and 2024.

The corvettes are represented by the latest stealth type Visby (8 RBS-15Mk2 anti-ship missiles, 4 400-mm TT PLO, 57-mm AU, helipad). For them, a multi-purpose anti-ship missile and missile defense system RBS-15Mk4 is being created (see above).

Missile boats include the Göteborg types (8 anti-ship missiles RBS-15, 4 400 mm TT PLO, 57 mm AU) and Stockholm (same).

Combat boats are represented by the Combat Boat 90E / H / HS type (carries 20 marines).

Patrol boats include the Tapper class.

Minesweepers are represented by the Koster and Spårö types

Landing craft include Trossbat and Griffon 8100TD types

Sweden manufactures weapons for the Armed Forces at the enterprises of its defense industry (according to its own projects or under license), modernizes obsolete models and buys weapons and military equipment abroad. The source of acquisition of weapons and military equipment is selected according to the criteria of technical and economic feasibility. The national defense industry focuses mainly on exports. Anti-aircraft guns, tracked infantry fighting vehicles, howitzers, ATGMs, MANPADS, anti-aircraft grenade launchers, radars and fighters were supplied abroad.

The Swedish ground forces are mainly equipped with weapons of their own production (licensed tanks, tracked infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers, self-propelled howitzers, mortars, MANPADS and SPAAGs). Weapons purchased abroad are represented by wheeled armored personnel carriers and BA, anti-tank systems and air defense systems.

The equipment of the Air Force is mainly based on military-technical cooperation with other countries (production of JAS 39C / D fighters, IRIS-T air-to-air missiles), the purchase of helicopters, air defense systems, air-to-air missiles AIM-9L, AIM-120B and Meteor .

Navy equipment (submarines, ships and boats) is built at Swedish shipyards, weapons for them are of their own production.

Main NE development trends are:

• building up the mobile capabilities of troops;
• introduction of the principle of "modularity" of military formations and combat equipment of the ground forces, the transition from highly specialized units to versatile training;
• a shift in the nature of the preparation of troops for combat operations as part of multinational formations.

In accordance with the "Strategy for the Development of the Armed Forces for the period from 2016 to 2020" adopted in June 2015, the following activities are planned to be implemented:

• completion of the delivery of about 100 Finnish armored personnel carriers AMV and 24 SG FH-77BW L52 Archer of our own production;
• modernization of Swedish Leopard 2A5 tanks and CV 9040 infantry fighting vehicles, BGBV 120 ARVs, Giraffe AMV mobile radar for detecting air targets, ARTHUR counter-battery radar, 81-mm Grk m / 84 mortars;
• the formation of a battle group of the same name on the island of Gotland in 5 years, consisting of a mechanized and tank company and an information security unit (cybertroops).

Conclusions. The Swedish Armed Forces switched to the contract principle of recruitment in 2010, and they were reduced from 53 thousand people. in 2000 up to 30 thousand people. in 2017, but the increased military threat from Russia forced to increase the armed forces again to 50 thousand people, for which, since 2018, the conscription and the territorial-militia recruitment principle were returned . Prepared reserves and territorial waxes will make it possible, in case of war, to strengthen the Armed Forces many times over. Sweden is surrounded by friendly countries on land, but it has a long access to the sea and is vulnerable from the sea and air. Therefore, it needs a navy and coastal defense forces corresponding to the threat, as well as an air force capable of protecting against sea and air assaults. The landscape of the country is favorable for defense (wooded and mountainous wooded areas with water barriers). But in the event of a large-scale invasion of the enemy, the Swedish troops deployed in a week will only be able to hold the defense for about 3 months, and then Sweden is counting on the help of NATO forces. Although Sweden is still neutral, the possibility of joining NATO is being considered. For the Swedish Armed Forces, the most modern weapons (domestic and foreign) are purchased, incl. ZRS, fighters and submarines. This is facilitated by a developed economy, the presence of the defense industry, high GDP and military spending.

The Swedish Armed Forces meet the modern requirements of the country's leadership, incl. compatible with the NATO Allied Forces, and also ensure the solution of the tasks assigned to them both independently and in cooperation with NATO forces.

TO BE CONTINUED. THE FULL VERSION OF THE ARTICLE CAN BE READ IN THE CIAKR BULLETIN, No. 11_2018

Yuri Barash,

Member of the Expert Council of CIACR

Swedish Armed Forces

After the defeat by Russia in the war of 1808-09. the former European superpower Sweden was no longer at war (its participation in the anti-Napoleonic coalition was purely formal). However, the country had a very powerful army and national military traditions. This, in particular, kept Hitler from aggression against her. Post-war neutrality only benefited Sweden. Since the country had no one to rely on, it itself built very efficient aircraft. Moreover, along with the USA, the USSR, China and France, it was one of the five countries in the world that made almost all the weapons for their armed forces (with rare unprincipled exceptions) themselves. The country had a system of universal conscription, reminiscent of the Swiss (militia army with a short duration of military service, but regular retraining).

After the end of the Cold War, Stockholm became noticeably closer to NATO, taking part in the Afghan and Libyan operations (in the latter case, however, the case was limited to air patrols of 8 Grippens without striking ground targets). Perhaps the consequence of this was that Sweden was affected by the pan-European trends in the degradation of the armed forces and their loss of combat capability (this fact was recently openly recognized by the Swedish command). An extremely symptomatic step was the recent abolition of conscription and the transition to a "professional army", which automatically led to a noticeable decrease in its numbers and a drop in the level of training.

Swedish Land Forces divided into 4 regional commands - "North" (headquarters in Boden), "Center" (Stockholm), "West" (Shovde), "South" (Revingehead). There are two headquarters of mechanized brigades - 2nd (Shovde) and 3rd (Boden). At the same time, in peacetime, the ground forces include only training regiments - two infantry (1st Life Guards (Kungsengen) and 19th Norrbottensky (Boden)) and armored (4th Skaraborgsky (Shovde) and 7th Yuzhnoskonsky ( Revingehead)), 3rd Life Guards Hussars (Karlsborg, actually this is a regiment of the Airborne Forces / MTR), 9th Artillery (Boden), 6th Goetsky Air Defense (Halmstad), 2nd Engineering (Eksjo), control and communications (Enkoping), 2nd logistics support (Shovde). There are no regular deployed units.

The tank fleet includes 120 Strv122 ("Leopard-2A5") and 9 Strv121 ("Leopard-2A4").

In service are 354 CV90 infantry fighting vehicles (and 96 auxiliary vehicles based on it), 380 South African RG-32M Nyala armored vehicles, 203 Finnish-made XA180 armored personnel carriers (of which 35 Patgb180, 20 Patgb 202A, 148 Patgb203A), 113 newest XA 360 ( AMV, Patgb 360), 150 own BvS-10 and 172 Pbv302 (and 87 auxiliary vehicles based on it).

Artillery includes 24 of the latest Archer wheeled self-propelled guns and 308 mortars (84 120mm, 224 81mm).

There are ATGM RBS-56 "Bill" and American "Tou" (RB-55).

Ground air defense is made up of 60 RBS-70 air defense systems and 30 Lvkv90 ZSU (based on the CV90 infantry fighting vehicle).

air force Sweden includes the 7th, 17th, 21st and helicopter flotillas.

The Air Force has 95 JAS-39C / D "Grippen" fighters (73 C, 22 D). In addition, 12 JAS-39C and 2 JAS-39D, which are legally part of the Swedish Air Force, are leased in the Czech Republic. A similar number of aircraft is leased from Hungary, but they were built specifically for this and were not part of the Swedish Air Force (except for 1 JAS-39D). In addition, 5 Grippens are at the disposal of the SAAB manufacturer (2 C, 1 D, 2 B). Finally, 80 JAS-39A and 12 JAS-39B have been withdrawn from the Air Force, their fate has not yet been determined (while they are in storage). In the next 5 years, all JAS-39C / D remaining in service will most likely be upgraded to JAS-39E / F variants.

The Swedish Air Force also has 4 EW and AWACS aircraft (2 S-102B, 2 S-100D), 1 Tr-100A optical reconnaissance aircraft, 10 transport and auxiliary aircraft (6 S-130N / Tr84 (including 1 tanker), 1 Tp-100C, 2 Tp-102 (1 C, 1 D); 2 more C-130H - in storage), 59 training SK-60 (34 A, 13 V, 12 C; another 18 A, up to 19 V, 8 C, 1 E in storage).

All helicopters of the Swedish Armed Forces, incl. from the army and naval aviation, combined into one flotilla as part of the Air Force. This is up to 18 HKP-14 (NH 90), 20 HKP-15 (A-109M), 15 NKR-16 (UH-60). In addition, up to 7 HKP-10 (AS-332) and up to 8 HKP-9A (Bo-105CB) are in storage.

Navy Sweden include three dozen units. The submarine fleet includes 3 Gotland-class submarines and 2 Vestergetland-class (Södermanland) submarines. The surface forces are represented by corvettes of the type "Stockholm" (2, converted into patrol ships), "Gothenburg" (2, 2 more are in conservation), "Visby" (5), a patrol ship (former minzag) "Karlskrona", 11 patrol boats type "Tupper", minesweepers of the type "Landsort" (2, which may have already been withdrawn from the Navy), "Bonfire" (5) and "Stirsø" (4). There are also up to 147 S-90 boats and up to 5 S-90E boats that can be used as patrol or landing boats.

On the eve of the war with Russia, Denmark and Saxony, the Swedish Empire (as the kingdom of Sweden and its possessions were called in the period from 1561 - after the conquest of Estonia, to 1721) was one of the great powers of Europe and had a strong army and navy.

During the 30 Years' War (1618-1648), the brilliant military actions of the Swedish military leaders secured an outstanding role for Sweden in Europe. According to the Peace of Vesphalia, Western Pomerania with the port of Stettin, some part of Eastern Pomerania, the right to the Pomeranian Gulf with coastal cities passed under the control of Sweden. The Swedes now dominated the mouths of all the rivers of fragmented Germany and over most of the coast of the Baltic Sea. As a result of the Danish-Swedish war of 1643-1645 (it was part of the 30-year war), the Bremsebrus peace was signed. According to it, Sweden received the islands of Gotland and Ezel and also two areas on the Norwegian border: Jämtland and Herjedalen. In addition to these territorial concessions, the Swedes were exempted from customs duties when their ships passed through the Sound. In addition, the Danes, as a guarantee of the above concessions, gave the province of Halland to Sweden for 30 years.

Then Denmark was defeated in the war of 1657-1658. In the Danish city of Roskilde, a peace treaty was signed, according to which Denmark suffered huge territorial losses. The Swedes received three provinces in the south of the Scandinavian Peninsula - Skåne, Halland and Blekinge, the city of Trondheim. And also the islands of Bornholm (later Ven in the Sound Strait), Boguslen on the Kattegat and Trondiem-Len on the Norwegian coast passed to Sweden. In addition, Copenhagen undertook not to allow ships of "enemy" powers to enter the Baltic Sea. True, two years later Trondheim and Bornholm were returned to the Danes, but Sweden, in peace with Poland, received all of Livonia.

By the beginning of the 18th century, the Swedish Empire was experiencing not only a military-political, but also an economic upsurge. The country had a significant number of manufactories, including ironworks. On the basis of developed metallurgy there was a military industry. Sweden controlled the most important military-strategic points of the Baltic Sea, its garrisons were stationed throughout the Baltic States and in Northern Germany. In order to preserve the conquered territories and be able to expand its possessions, the Swedish kingdom maintained a powerful armed force. The Swedish Naval Forces completely controlled the Baltic area, they included 42 battleships, 12 frigates (according to other sources, 38 battleships and 10 frigates), a significant number of smaller warships, with 13 thousand sailors. The Swedish fleet had three squadrons, on the sides of their ships there were up to 2.7 thousand guns. In addition, the Swedes could use in military units and ships of the merchant fleet - up to 800 units. They could be armed with additional guns, used as military transports, landing ships. Sweden, thanks to this armada, could transfer its army to almost anywhere in the Baltic. Her opponents did not have such an opportunity, Russia and Poland did not have fleets in the Baltic, the Danish fleet was weaker than the Swedish Navy.

The Swedish military planning system provided that a line of powerful fortresses along the borders of the Swedish Empire in Northern Germany, the Baltic states and Finland with strong garrisons and powerful artillery could withstand the first blow of the enemy army, buy time for the transfer of reinforcements, the main forces of the Swedish army. The same fortresses could become springboards for the concentration of the main Swedish armed forces to invade foreign territory. On the border with Russia, such fortresses were Narva, Yamburg (Yam), Noteburg (Oreshek), Nienschanz, Kexholm (Korela), etc. The main forces of the Swedish army were located in the metropolis.

Swedish Empire in 1658.

Development of the Swedish army

Since the 30 Years' War and the military reforms of King Adolf Gustov II (1611-1632), the Swedish army has been considered invincible in Europe. Sweden had a small standing army from the end of the 16th century, in addition, in case of war, they convened a militia. The Swedish army had vast military experience and was the brainchild of King Gustav II Adolf "The Lion of the North". It was the oldest, second only to the Dutch, standing army in Europe. If the armies of Europe were mostly hired, then the Swedish army, even before the reform of the "Lion of the North", from the middle of the 16th century, was formed on the basis of the principle of compulsory military service and selective conscription. Each rural community was obliged to put up a certain number of men. Of these, a special commission selected soldiers according to recruit lists. This ensured a homogeneous national composition of the army, which was more morally stable and disciplined, unlike mercenaries. Under Gustavus Adolphus, the country was divided into nine territorial districts. In each district, a "large regiment" of 3 thousand people was formed. Each large regiment was divided into three "field regiments" of eight companies each. The regiments were deployed, each in its own well-defined place. Every tenth peasant was to become a recruit. Such a system allowed Sweden to have a fairly strong army of 27 thousand people in peacetime. By the time of Gustov-Adolf's death, the Swedish army had 23 infantry and 8 cavalry regiments.

Gustavus Adolphus also laid the foundations of linear tactics: instead of the deep formation, which was adopted in the armies of European countries, the Swedish musketeers were built in only 3 ranks, and pikemen in 6 ranks. Musketeers used volley fire, and pikemen used theirs not only in defense, but on the offensive. Field artillery was divided into heavy and light.

Military reform of Charles XI

Later, a system of settled troops was developed in Sweden. King Charles XI (1660 - 1697) in the 1680s carried out a radical reform of the armed forces, which further increased their combat power. The system, when every tenth peasant or small artisan was drafted into the army, was extremely unpopular in the country, and besides, it was difficult for the state treasury to maintain a standing army. Charles XI did not want to burden the national budget, but at the same time the country needed a well-trained, standing army. The settlement system of manning the armed forces was introduced. The essence of the system was that the main costs of maintaining a standing army were covered by the income of state and private land holdings. For this purpose, a special military land cadastre was created in advance, it took into account the possessions of peasant communities, private farms, which were used to keep soldiers and officers. In turn, communal and private lands were divided into plots of equal profitability, the income from one land plot should have been enough to support one soldier. One such plot united a group of peasant farms - a company. Each "company" was to contain one infantry soldier. For this, peasant farms were exempted from taxes. In addition, each soldier was allocated a plot of land where his dwelling was.

The cavalry was completed in almost the same way. The rider and his horse were kept by one or more households, for which they were reduced taxes. As a salary, officers were given a land plot with a manor, its size and profitability depended on the position of the owner. A similar system was partially extended to the Navy. Thanks to these reforms, the Swedish Empire had 38,000 permanent troops, plus about 25,000 in the provinces in garrison and other service. In the same period, a new military harbor was built - Karlskrona ("Karl's crown"). This system of territorial-militia staffing of the Swedish army survived until the end of the 19th century. Thus, in peacetime, a significant part of the infantry, cavalry and sailors were engaged in agriculture, relieving significant pressure on the country's treasury. Armament, a horse (for cavalrymen), uniforms were on the farm, and a soldier could go on a campaign at any moment. Ammunition, other army equipment, ammunition were located in a warehouse near the company captain's dwelling. The training of soldiers was carried out by attracting them to the annual monthly military training, which took place after the harvest.

Founding of Karlskrona.

Swedish army before the Great Northern War

When Charles XII (1697 - 1718) ascended the throne, Sweden had an army of approximately 60 thousand in peacetime. In wartime, the size of the army was increased with the help of recruiting kits. In addition to the standing army, which was completed in the above way, there were also a few mercenary troops in Sweden - the royal horse guards (Brabants) and artillerymen were recruited from the mercenaries.

It was one of the most advanced military machines that have been created in the human. It was reinforced by the religious component. The morale of the Swedish army was very high - the soldiers and officers considered themselves invincible. This idea was based on a special religious attitude, which was based on the Protestant doctrine of Divine Predestination. This attitude was supported by the regimental pastors, who consoled the wounded and dying, supervised the way of life and the performance of religious rites by the soldiers. Protestant priests inspired fatalism in the military (in fact, the process of programming for indifference to death was going on). For example, when storming enemy positions, soldiers were not supposed to try to take cover, they were ordered to attack at full height. Supporting their flock on the battlefield, the priests themselves often died. The most important proof of God's favor to Sweden, the king, the army were victories - and the Swedish army was used to winning, went from victory to victory. The soldiers were convinced, and they were sure of this, that the Swedish army was sent by God to punish heretics, apostates and sinners, dishonorable and impious rulers who started a war against Sweden without just reasons. To support this myth, the pastors resorted to biblical episodes. For example, during the war with Russia, the Swedes were compared with the ancient Jews who are at war with the pagans. The Protestant religion was also needed to maintain cruelty towards the enemy in soldiers and officers: the words "punishment" and "revenge" during the Great Northern War did not leave the language of pastors. They drew their inspiration from the terrible scenes of the Old Testament, where the ancient Jews exterminated not only people, but even their cattle, dogs, and all living creatures. In this regard (psychological attitude), the Swedish army resembles the Nazi Wehrmacht.

The war also responded to the psychology of the Swedish nobility. For the nobles, war was a source of glory, rewards, enrichment, and the world often turned into material need, boredom and obscurity. They were real descendants of the Vikings, peaceful life was just boring. This idea was excellently expressed by the famous Swedish commander Lewenhaupt: “In war and abroad, even the smallest thing pleases me more than the so-called joys, for which I, with shame and vanity at home, in my homeland, kill time.” The Swedish nobleman Gustav Bunde said: “Many knights found themselves and showed their abilities, which supported the dignity of their class, while otherwise they would have had to vegetate at home in insignificance.”

For the rapid collection of troops, well-thought-out mobilization plans were developed, which ensured the rapid deployment and concentration of the main forces at the point chosen by the command for dispatch to the provinces on the southern coast of the Baltic Sea. The plans provided for the amount of time needed for the transition, rest, determined the resting place for the moving troops. As a result, Sweden was ahead of its opponents in the mobilization deployment of troops. This happened at the beginning of the Northern War.

The army was well trained and armed, the soldiers were brave and hardy. It was headed by the outstanding commander of his time, Charles XII. He was distinguished by decisiveness and speed of action. Unlike the leaders of the enemy armies, who adhered to a methodical strategy, Karl was not afraid to quickly and freely maneuver large forces, take risks (this was also facilitated by the presence of a powerful fleet). He could unexpectedly strike where he was not expected, impose a battle on favorable terms for him. Beat the enemy one by one. Charles XII was an adherent of the strategy of Alexander the Great, he tried to defeat the enemy in a decisive battle.

Charles was personally brave, he was a warrior king. When several paralyzing news came to Stockholm at once, simultaneously with the capture of Holstein by the Danish army, news came of the invasion of the troops of Augustus II into Livonia without declaring war and the news of the alliance of the three great powers against Sweden. This horrified the State Council of Sweden, they began to offer to stop the war through negotiations. King Charles rose from his seat and said that he would wage war until complete victory over all opponents. The beginning of the war dramatically changed the character of Karl, he immediately abandoned all the amusements of his youth and became a real ascetic. From now on, the king knew no luxury, no wine, no women, no games, no rest. He began to dress like a simple soldier, becoming a real monk in a soldier's jacket.

In the center of Stockholm, among the monuments to many kings, there is also a monument to Charles XII.

The freedom of maneuver of the Swedish army is explained not only by the presence of mobilization plans and a strong fleet, but also by the methods of supplying troops. Their provision was carried out not only by bringing supplies from the rear bases, but also at the expense of local resources (often robbing the population). "The war fed itself" - the Swedish army used local resources for supplies, but this method required fast movement, the occupied area could not sustain troops for long. As a result, the Swedish army was not tied to supply bases.

The Swedes treated mercilessly not only the enemy, his troops, but also the local population. In one of the messages to General Renschild, the Swedish king wrote: “Everyone who is slow in delivering (contributions) or in general is guilty of something should be punished cruelly and without mercy, and their dwellings burned ...” And further, settlements where “you encounter resistance must be burned, whether the inhabitants are guilty or not." In another letter, he notifies his generals that if the enemy does not leave them alone, then it is necessary "to devastate and burn everything around, in a word, to ruin the country so that no one can approach you." The king reports that he himself does the same: “we try our best and also destroy and burn out every place where the enemy has appeared. Recently, in this way, I burned the whole city ... ".

And here we see that extreme cruelty is generally characteristic of Western civilization. The methods of merciless terror against the civilian population were in service with the "enlightened Europeans" long before the appearance of the "blond beasts" of Adolf Hitler.

In the field of tactics, the Swedish army adhered to linear battle formations. Infantry was built on the battlefield in 2-3 lines, cavalry regiments were usually located in ledges on the flanks of infantry formations. On the battlefield, the Swedish infantry fired volleys at the enemy, and then resolutely went into a bayonet attack. The cavalry (dragoons and cuirassiers) boldly cut into the enemy's orders. Infantry, cavalry and artillery worked closely together. The main tactic during the battle was a decisive infantry attack on the central positions of the enemy. Usually the enemy could not withstand the blow of the staunch and brave Swedish infantry, and the blow of the cavalry completed the rout.

The Swedish infantry units were two-thirds musketeers and one-third pikemen (soldiers armed with pikes). But gradually the entire infantry was armed with rifles with bayonets. The cavalry was armed with pistols and broadswords, the dragoons also had muskets. The cuirassiers were protected by a cuirass. Swedish field artillery by 1700 was combined into one regiment with a staff of 1800 people. The regiment was armed with 8 and 16-pound howitzers, 3-pound field guns.

As a result, the Swedish army was much better prepared for war than the Russian one. It was mobilized, well-armed and trained, demonstrated the highest fighting spirit, it was led by a talented young commander and experienced generals. The Russian army was in the process of reforming, old traditions were breaking down, new ones had not yet taken root. The great weakness of the Russian army was the fact that its high command was dominated by foreigners.

A sample of the Swedish pike.

War plans of the Allies and Sweden

The general plan of the war of the allies - Denmark, Saxony, Russia was reduced to a consistent attack on the Swedish territories in Northern Germany, the southern Baltic, Karelia. Gradual capture of strategically important fortresses, cities, points. The Russian command was going to act in Ingermanland and Karelia - to return to Russia the lands lost as a result of the Troubles of the early 17th century, access to the Baltic Sea. The Swedes also understood the strategic importance of the fortresses in Ingermanland and Karelia. They were the "keys" to Livonia and Finland.

A specific plan of action was developed on the basis of allied treaties concluded with Saxony and Denmark. The Danes and Saxons were to act first, and Russia after the conclusion of peace with the Porte.

They tried to keep the preparations for the war secret in Russia. When the Swedish resident in Moscow Knipper Kron asked to explain Russian military preparations, the creation of a regular army, he was told that after the dissolution of the streltsy army, there were no infantry left in Russia, and the country needed to be ready for war with the Ottoman Empire. The secrecy of the preparatory measures is evidenced by the fact that even the front-line governors of Pskov and Novgorod were not warned of the imminence of the start of the war. Narva was chosen as the object of the first strike of the Russian army. The success of the outbreak of the war was associated with the simultaneous strike of three powers, but from the very beginning this plan was violated.

In Sweden, there were mobilization plans that made it possible to quickly transfer the army to the threatened area. In addition, there was a project according to which Novgorod, Pskov, Olonets, Kargopol, Arkhangelsk were to become Swedish. Thus, Sweden threw Russia further into the continental regions, from its possessions in the Baltic, dealt a powerful blow to trade competitors (Russian trade was destroyed through Arkhangelsk). The Swedes were going to conduct decisive offensive campaigns against each enemy separately. Denmark was considered the most dangerous enemy (it had a fleet), it was planned to concentrate the main efforts of the army and navy at the initial stage of the war against it. At this time, in the Baltic states, the Swedish fortresses had to hold down the forces of other opponents with stubborn defense and wait for the arrival of the main forces.

Swedish cavalry.