How Can Sweden Organize and Maintain a Rapid Reaction Force as a Member of NATO?

Abstract

In Sweden, there has been a discussion about future Swedish defense policy since the Cold War ended and Sweden joined the European Union (EU). Many voices have been heard saying Sweden should join NATO, especially after NATO has changed its policy to take a more active part in peace support operations, such as in Bosnia. This essay and its discussion make the controversial assumption that Sweden will become a member of NATO and, as a consequence of this assumption, that Sweden will need to organize a rapid reaction land force. The essay will analyze possible alternative solutions when organizing and maintaining a Swedish rapid reaction force. It will first, briefly describe the NATO organization and the new military orientation of NATO. Secondly, a short summary will follow of how Denmark, Germany and Norway have organized their new respective rapid reaction forces. Finally, possible Swedish alternatives will be discussed and a suggested solution will be described.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 09, 1997
Accession Number
ADA326982

Entities

People

  • Lars Fagerberg

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Active Duty
  • Basic Training
  • Defense Planning
  • Deployment
  • Governments
  • International Relations
  • Logistics
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Planning
  • Nato
  • Nato Forces
  • North America
  • Quick Reaction Force
  • Treaties
  • United States
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP).
  • Strategic Security Studies