The Nordic Countries and the European Security and Defence Policy

7. The impact of EU capability targets andoperational demands on defence conceptsand planning: the case of SwedenLars Wedin*I. IntroductionThis chapter focuses on the impact on Swedish defence planning of the EuropeanUnion’s capability targets and operational demands. There are severalreasons for choosing the specific case of Sweden rather than trying to cover allthe Nordic countries. One reason is that, when it comes to ‘hard’ securitypolicy, the Nordic countries differ more than is generally believed: Denmark’sopting out of the European Security and Defence Policy is an example of this.Although neither Sweden nor Finland is a member of the North Atlantic TreatyOrganization, Finnish security policy is generally seen as being based on realpolitik,while Sweden has tried to take a principled approach to the issue ofcollective defence. In this context, it should be remembered that Sweden is theonly country in the EU that did not experience war in the 20th century.Against this background, it is of interest that the Swedish Governmentrecently formulated a new defence policy, in which the ESDP seems to be givenhighest priority. 1 This is a clear break with the past.Another reason for focusing on Sweden is that the Swedish Armed Forces(SAF) are in the midst of significant process of transformation. This has beenpresented as a bold move to transform the remnants of a passive, anti-invasiondefence force dependent on mobilization of reserves into an active and mobileforce ready for expeditionary warfare and peace-support operations under theauspices of the EU, NATO or the United Nations. However, the transformationseems to be severely underfunded, which could have potentially disastrous consequences.The issue of the new defence policy is all the more interesting as the Swedishpopulation is one of the most Euro-sceptical in the EU; the negative outcome ofthe September 2003 referendum on adopting the euro, the success of anti-EU1 Regeringens proposition 2004/05:5: vårt framtida försvar [Government bill 2004/05:5: our futuredefence], 23 Sep. 2004, URL . Summary in English:Government Offices of Sweden, ‘Our future defence: the focus of Swedish defence policy 2005–2007’,Swedish Ministry of Defence, Stockholm, Oct. 2004, URL . The bill was passed by the Swedish Parliament on 16 Dec. 2004.* This chapter reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of the Swedish Government,the Swedish Armed Forces or the Swedish National Defence College.