“We want to have a permanent opportunity not only to fight in our own area, but also to expose the attacker to the risk of having to defend on its territory” – he noted in an interview with the TT agency.
According to Claesson, Sweden must have abilities enabling impact, e.g. on the logistics goals of the opponent. Although he did not mention specific armament systems, he specified that it was about a range of 150 to 500 kilometers. The distance dividing the Swedish island of Gotland from the Russian Królewiec region is about 270 km.
TT reminds that these criteria meets, among others Himars American artillery system, which can offend goals over 300 km. In May this year, US soldiers conducted tests of Himars launchers at the Visby training ground in Gotland. Similar exercises also took place last year in the Stockholm archipelago.
Sweden. Development of military potential
Until now, the Swedish armed forces had Archer howitzers, whose range was from 30 to 50 km – sufficient to defend, but not to carry out long -range strokes. Currently, the process of choosing specific rocket systems is underway. Placing an order is scheduled for autumn, and deliveries would start within two or three years.
Claesson also noted that thanks to the new weapons, Sweden will be able to play a more significant role within NATO. “We can play a much more active role in scaising NATO, not necessarily in Sweden, but maybe in Finland or Baltic countries” – he emphasized.
In the past week, the commander visited the garrison in Gotland, which was reactivated in 2018. He announced further strengthening of the military presence on this strategic island in the Baltic. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, in turn, announced the purchase of the German air defense system Iris-T SLM, which is to protect Gotland against air threats-including drones, aircraft and maneuvering shells.
