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The following article depicts the structure of the Swedish Armed Forces in 1989 by service branch. In wartime units would come under six multi-service military district commands. These district commands, as well as their wartime structure, can be found in their respective articles listed at Swedish military districts.

The article was created by combining the Swedish government's 1987 request to parliament to approve a new defense structure and the adjoined five year defense plan (Link), the same request to parliament 1992, which listed the changes undertaken between 1988 and 1992, the various handbooks of the Swedish Army about its units for recruits found on this site (Link), and the Swedish Wikipedia articles about Swedish units histories.

Armed Forces Defense Staff

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The Defense Staff of the Swedish Armed Forces commanded the staffs of its three services Army, Air Force and Navy, as well as the Home Guard. It also commanded the multi-service military districts and various universities, schools and logistic establishments.

Military Districts

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Swedish military districts and military districts command locations in 1989

The territory of Sweden was divided into six multi-service military commands. These six military districts (Swedish: Militärområde, usually abbreviated to Milo) were further subdivided in defence districts (Swedish: Försvarsområde, usually abbreviated to Fo). In peacetime each military district commanded all units within its area of responsibility and in wartime they would also command and control of all reserve units and reinforcements in their district.

The Military District Commander (Swedish: Militärområdesbefälhavare also militärbefälhavare), would command Swedish Army, Swedish Navy and Swedish Air Force units operating in his district and direct the commanders of the defense districts in the defense of their districts. Defence District Commanders commanded Home Guard units in their district, which usually compromised a mix of infantry, engineers, air defense and light artillery. Unlike the military districts the defense districts were managed in peacetime by various training units of army, navy or air force.

Two geographically exposed defense districts were organized differently:

In 1989 the Swedish military districts and their subordinate defense districts were the following.

Army

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In peacetime Sweden's Army had only one active brigade. All other brigades, combat support, and combat service support units would have been activated in wartime. Recruits for the wartime units were trained by the army's regiments dispersed all over the nation. These regiments were under administrative control of the Army Staff in Stockholm, which oversaw training, doctrine and procurement.

Army in 1989

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In 1989 the following regiments were active and trained recruits for the Army's wartime organization:

Number Name Location Training Battalions Military District Associated
Defense District
K 3 Life Regiment Hussars Karlsborg Airborne Units/Special Forces
Signal Units
Parachute Jäger Battalion
S 2 - Göta Signal Battalion
Milo V
K 4 Norrland Dragoon Regiment Arvidsjaur Norrland Jägers Milo ÖN
P 2 Scania Dragoon Regiment Hässleholm PB 8 - Göinge Brigade Milo S
P 4 Skaraborg Regiment Skövde PB 9 - Skaraborg Brigade Milo V Fo 35
P 6 North Scanian Regiment Kristianstad PB 26 - Kristianstad Brigade Milo S Fo 14
P 7 South Scanian Regiment Ystad PB 7 - Malmö Brigade Milo S Fo 11
P 10 Södermanland Regiment Strängnäs MekB 10 - Södermanland Brigade Milo Ö Fo 43
P 18 Gotland Regiment Visby PB 18 - Gotland Brigade MKG
I 1 Svea Life Guards Kungsängen IB 1 - Gula Brigade K 1 - Life Guard Dragoons Battalion Milo Ö Fo 44
I 2 Värmland Regiment Karlstad IB 2 - Värmland Brigade Milo B Fo 52
I 3 Life Regiment Grenadiers Örebro IB 3 - Life Brigade
IB 33 - Närke Brigade
Milo B Fo 51
I 4 Life Grenadier Regiment Linköping IB 4 - Grenadier Brigade T 1 - Svea Logistic Battalion Milo Ö Fo 41
I 5 Jämtland Ranger Regiment Östersund NB 35 - Field Jäger Brigade Milo NN Fo 22
I 11 Kronoberg Regiment Växjö IB 11 - Kronoberg Brigade
IB 41 - Blekinge Brigade
Milo S Fo 16
Fo 18
I 12 Northern Småland Regiment Eksjö IB 12 - Jönköping Brigade
IB 42 - Kalmar Brigade
Milo S Fo 17
I 13 Dalarna Regiment Falun NB 13 - Dalarna Brigade
IB 43 - Kopparberg Brigade
Milo B Fo 53
I 14 Hälsinge Regiment Gävle IB 14 - Gästrikeleden Brigade
IB 44 - Hälsinge Brigade
Milo NN Fo 21
I 15 Älvsborg Regiment Borås IB 15 - Västgöta Brigade
IB 45 - Älvsborg Brigade
Milo V Fo 34
I 16 Halland Regiment Halmstad IB 46 - Halland Brigade Milo V Fo 31
I 17 Bohuslän Regiment Uddevalla IB 17 - Bohus Brigade
IB 47 - Gothenburg Brigade
Milo V
I 19 Norrbotten Regiment Boden NB 19 - Norrbotten Brigade P 5 - Norrbotten Tank Battalion Milo ÖN
I 20 Västerbotten Regiment Umeå NB 50 - Lapland Brigade Milo ÖN Fo 61
I 21 Västernorrland Regiment Sollefteå IB 21 - Ådal Brigade
NB 51 - Ångermanland Brigade
Milo NN Fo 23
I 22 Lapland Ranger Regiment Kiruna Arctic Rangers Milo ÖN Fo 66
A 1 Svea Artillery Regiment Linköping Field Artillery Milo Ö
A 3 Wendes Artillery Regiment Kristianstad Field Artillery Milo S
A 4 Norrland Artillery Regiment Östersund Field Artillery Milo NN
A 7 Gotland Artillery Regiment Visby Field Artillery MKG
A 8 Boden Artillery Regiment Boden Field Artillery
3x Bandkanon 1 battalions
Milo ÖN Fo 63
A 9 Bergslagen Artillery Regiment Kristinehamn Field Artillery Milo B
lv 2 Gotland Anti-Aircraft Battalion Visby Active Air Defense Unit MKG
Lv 3 Roslagen Anti-Aircraft Regiment Norrtälje Air Defense Units Milo Ö
Lv 4 Scania Anti-Aircraft Regiment Ystad Air Defense Units Milo S
Lv 6 Göta Anti-Aircraft Regiment Gothenburg Air Defense Units Milo V
Lv 7 Luleå Anti-Aircraft Regiment Luleå Air Defense Units Milo ÖN
Ing 1 Svea Engineer Regiment Södertälje Engineer Units Milo Ö
Ing 2 Göta Engineer Regiment Eksjö Engineer Units Milo S
Ing 3 Boden Engineer Regiment Boden Engineer Units Milo ÖN
S 1 Uppland Signal Regiment Uppsala Signal Units Milo Ö Fo 47
Fo 48
S 3 Norrland Signal Regiment Boden Signal Units Milo ÖN
T 2 Göta Logistic Regiment Skövde Logistic Units Milo V
T 3 Norrland Logistic Regiment Sollefteå Logistic Units Milo NN
T 4 Scania Logistic Regiment Hässleholm Logistic Units Milo S

Army Aviation

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Swedish Army Aviation Bell 204C in 1984

The Army Aviation consisted of two battalions with 79 helicopters and two planes. Additionally the army had 11 FPL 61 observation planes, which were transferred to the air force in 1989.

In 1989 the army aviation's inventory consisted of:[1]

Army Equipment

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Wartime Organization

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Almost all units of the Swedish Army were not manned during peacetime. The only exception was the PB -18 Gotland Brigade, which was fully manned at all times. Usually brigades recruited their personnel in the county where they were based, with the exception of the Gotland Brigade, whose men came from all of Sweden.

The 1987 Swedish Defense bills lists the following wartime strength for the Swedish Army:[2]

  • 7x Division commands
  • 10x Infantry brigades Type 77
  • 8x Infantry brigades Type 66M
  • 5x Norrland brigades Type 85
  • 4x Armoured brigades Type 63M
  • 1x Armoured brigade Type Gotland
  • 1x Mechanized brigade Type 85
  • 105x Field Battalions (5x mechanized, 10x infantry, 16x Jäger (airborne, arctic rangers), 22x artillery, 20x air defense (2x Hawk, 10x RBS 70, 8x 40mm lvakan m/48), 19x engineer and 13x supply battalions)
  • 400-500 independent companies organized in 85 local defence battalions of the Swedish Home Guard, mainly used for defence of important military installations such as airfields, bridges, ports or other important civilian infrastructure and often stationed with bunkers, pillboxes and gun installations.
Divisions
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Besides 29 brigades the military districts would also have activated seven divisional commands to take tactical command of the ground forces in their respective military district. There were three exceptions:

  1. Milo B would not activate a divisional command as its brigades were the army's reserve and would have been assigned to other military districts as needed.
  2. Milo S would activate the 13th Division to take command of the four armoured brigades in Southern Sweden and then act as the army's mobile armoured reserve force.
  3. Milo Ö would activate two division commands to handle reinforcements arriving to defend the Stockholm area.

The seven divisions were:

Besides two to four brigades each division would also have commanded a variety of combat support and combat service support units.

Brigades
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Number Name Location Affiliated Regiment Military District Recruiting Area Type
IB 1 Yellow Brigade Kungsangen I 1 - Svea Life Guards Milo Ö Stockholm County Infantry Type 77
IB 2 Värmland Brigade Karlstad I 2 - Värmland Regiment Milo B Värmland County Infantry Type 77
IB 3 Life Brigade Örebro I 3 - Life Regiment Grenadiers Milo B Örebro County Infantry Type 66M
IB 4 Grenadier Brigade Linköping I 4 - Life Grenadier Regiment Milo Ö Östergötland County Infantry Type 77
PB 7 Malmö Brigade Revingehed P 7 - South Scanian Regiment Milo S Malmöhus County Armoured Type 63M
PB 8 Göinge Brigade Hässleholm P 2 - Scanian Dragoon Regiment Milo S Kristianstad County Armoured Type 63M
PB 9 Skaraborg Brigade Skövde P 4 - Skaraborg Regiment Milo V Skaraborg County Armoured Type 63M
MekB 10 Södermanland Brigade Strängnäs P 10 - Södermanland Regiment Milo Ö Södermanland County Mechanized Type 85
IB 11 Kronoberg Brigade Växjö I 11 - Kronoberg Regiment Milo S Kronoberg County Infantry Type 77
IB 12 Jönköping Brigade Eksjö I 12 - Northern Småland Regiment Milo S Jönköping County Infantry Type 66M
NB 13 Dalarna Brigade Falun I 13 - Dalarna Regiment Milo B Dalarna County Norrland Type 85
IB 14 Gästrikeleden Brigade Gävle I 14 - Hälsinge Regiment Milo NN Gävleborg County Infantry Type 77
IB 15 Västgöta Brigade Borås I 15 - Älvsborg Regiment Milo V Älvsborg County Infantry Type 66M
IB 17 Bohus Brigade Uddevalla I 17 - Bohuslän Regiment Milo V Gothenburg and Bohus County Infantry Type 66M
PB 18 Gotland Brigade Visby P 18 - Gotland Regiment MKG Sweden Armoured Type Gotland
NB 19 Norrbotten Brigade Boden I 19/P 5 - Norrbotten Regiment Milo ÖN Norrbotten County Norrland Type 85
IB 21 Ådal Brigade Sollefteå I 21 - Västernorrland Regiment Milo NN Västernorrland County Infantry Type 66M
PB 26 Kristianstad Brigade Kristianstad P 6 - North Scanian Regiment Milo S Kristianstad County Armoured Type 63M
IB 33 Närke Brigade Örebro I 3 - Life Regiment Grenadiers Milo B Örebro County Infantry Type 77
NB 35 Field Jäger Brigade Östersund I 5 - Jämtland Ranger Regiment Milo NN Jämtland County Norrland Type 85
IB 41 Blekinge Brigade Växjö I 11 - Kronoberg Regiment Milo NN Blekinge County Infantry Type 66M
IB 42 Kalmar Brigade Eksjö I 12 - Northern Småland Regiment Milo NN Kalmar County Infantry Type 77
IB 43 Kopparberg Brigade Falun I 13 - Dalarna Regiment Milo B Dalarna County Infantry Type 66M
IB 44 Hälsinge Brigade Gävle I 14 - Hälsinge Regiment Milo NN Gävleborg County Infantry Type 66M
IB 45 Älvsborg Brigade Borås I 15 - Älvsborg Regiment Milo V Älvsborg County Infantry Type 77
IB 46 Halland Brigade Halmstad I 16 - Halland Regiment Milo V Halland County Infantry Type 77
IB 47 Gothenburg Brigade Uddevalla I 17 - Bohuslän Regiment Milo V Gothenburg and Bohus County Infantry Type 77
NB 50 Lapland Brigade Umeå I 20 - Västerbotten Regiment Milo ÖN Västerbotten County Norrland Type 85
NB 51 Ångermanland Brigade Sollefteå I 21 - Västernorrland Regiment Milo NN Västernorrland County Norrland Type 85

Brigade Structures

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The Swedish Army had four brigade types in 1989. Two types of infantry brigade, one type of armoured brigade and the type Norrland brigade. Two brigades had unique structures, as their tasks differed from all other brigades:

Unlike all other brigades PB 18 - Gotland Brigade was fully manned even in peacetime.

Armoured Brigade 63
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Armoured Brigade Type 63M Structure (click to enlarge)

Sweden fielded four Type 63 armoured brigades. Each brigade had around 5,600 men and they were concentrated in the country's South.

  • Armoured Brigade[3]
    • Armoured Brigade Staff (Pansarbrigadstab)
    • 3x Armoured Battalions (Pbataljon), 1063 men, 587x anti-tank mines each
      • Armoured Battalion Staff and Armoured Battalion Staff Company (Pansarbataljonsstab med pansarbataljonsstabskompani)
      • 2x Armoured Infantry Companies (Pansarskyttekompani), 11x Pansarbandvagn 302 APCs each
      • 2x Tank Companies (Stridsvagnskompani), 12x Stridsvagn 101R, 102R or Stridsvagn 103 and 3x Pansarbandvagn 302 APCs each
      • Armoured Howitzer Company (Pansarhaubitskompani), 4x 105mm m/40 towed howitzers
      • Armoured Supply Company (Pansartrosskompani)
    • Armoured Howitzer Battalion (Pansarhaubitsbataljon), 628 men
      • Armoured Howitzer Battalion Staff and Armoured Howitzer Battalion Staff Company (Pansarhaubitsbataljonsstab med pansarhaubitsbataljonsstabskompani)
      • 3x Armoured Howitzer Companies (Pansarhaubitskompani), 4x 155mm haub F towed howitzers each
      • Howitzer Supply Company (Haubitstrosskompani)
    • Armoured Engineer Battalion (Pansaringenjörsbataljon), 398 men, 880x anti-tank mines
      • Armoured Engineer Battalion Staff (Pansaringenjörsbataljonsstab)
      • 2x Armoured Engineer Companies (Pansaringenjörskompani)
      • Armoured Engineer Equipment Company (Pansaringenjörsmaterielkompani)
    • Armoured Logistic Battalion (Pansarunderhållsbataljon), 766 men, stores 112x AT4 anti-tank missiles and 1,500x anti-tank mines
      • Armoured Logistic Battalion Staff and Armoured Logistic Battalion Staff Company (Pansarunderhållsbataljonsstab med pansarunderhållsbataljonsstabskompani)
      • Armoured Transport Company (Pansartransportkompani)
      • Armoured Repair Company (Pansarreparationskompani)
      • Armoured Quartermaster Company (Pansarintendenturkompani)
      • Armoured Medical Company (Pansarsjukvårdskompani)
      • Light Armoured Logistic Company (Lätt Pansarunderhållskompani)
    • Armoured Reconnaissance Company (Pansarspaningskompani), 156 men, 6x Pansarbandvagn 302 APCs, 4x 90mm Pvpj 1110 recoilless rifles
    • 1st Armoured Anti-tank Company (Pansarvärnskompani), 137 men, 8x BILL 1 anti-tank guided missile launchers, 220 anti-tank mines
    • 2nd Armoured Anti-tank Company (Pansarvärnskompani), 137 men, 8x BILL 1 anti-tank guided missile launchers, 220 anti-tank mines
    • Brigade Air Defense Company (Brigadluftvärnskompani), 154 men, 18x RBS 70 MANPADS

The Howitzer, Engineer and Logistic Battalion had the same number as the brigade. The same applies to the Reconnaissance and Air Defense companies, and the companies of the Logistic Battalion. The two anti-tank companies combined the brigades number with 1 and 2: e.g. the PB 8's anti-tank companies were numbered 81st and 82nd. The companies of the Engineer Battalion carried the same number as the brigade, with the exception of the 2nd Armoured Engineer Company, which had the brigade's number +100: e.g. the PB 8's armoured engineer companies were numbered 8th and 108th.

Infantry Brigade 66
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Infantry Brigade Type 66M Structure (click to enlarge)

Sweden fielded eight Type 66M infantry brigades. Each brigade had around 6,000 men. Type 66M brigades were second-line brigades equipped with older equipment. All of the Type 66M brigades were disbanded at the end of the Cold War. The difference between the original Type 66 and later Type 66M brigades was the addition of one Bandvagn 202 per infantry platoon.

  • Infantry Brigade
    • Infantry Brigade Staff (Infanteribrigadstab)
    • 3x Infantry Battalions (Skyttebataljon)
      • Infantry Battalion Staff and Infantry Battalion Staff Company (Infanteribataljonsstab med infanteribataljonsstabskompani)
      • 4x Infantry Companies (Skyttekompani), in trucks and Bandvagn 202
      • Heavy Mortar Company (Tungt Granatkastarkompani), 4x 120mm Krh/40 mortars
      • Infantry Supply Company (Infanteritrosskompani)
    • Infantry Howitzer Battalion (Infanterihaubitsbataljon)
      • Infantry Howitzer Battalion Staff and Infantry Howitzer Battalion Staff Company (Infanterihaubitsbataljonsstab med infanterihaubitsbataljonsstabskompani)
      • 3x Infantry Howitzer Companies (Infanterihaubitskompani), 4x 105mm m/40 towed howitzers each
      • Howitzer Supply Company (Infanterihaubitstrosskompani)
    • Infantry Engineer Battalion (Infanteriingenjörsbataljon)
      • Infantry Engineer Battalion Staff (Infanteriingenjörsbataljonsstab)
      • 2x Infantry Engineer Companies (Infanteriingenjörskompani)
      • Infantry Engineer Equipment Company (Infanteriingenjörsmaterielkompani)
    • Infantry Logistic Battalion (Infanteriunderhållsbataljon)
      • Infantry Logistic Battalion Staff and Infantry Logistic Battalion Staff Company (Infanteriunderhållsbataljonsstab med infanteriunderhållsbataljonsstabskompani)
      • Infantry Transport Company (Infanteritransportkompani)
      • Infantry Repair Company (Infanterireparationskompani)
      • Infantry Quartermaster Company (Infanteriintendenturkompani)
      • Infantry Medical Company (Infanterisjukvårdskompani)
      • Light Infantry Logistic Company (Lätt Infanteriunderhållskompani)
    • Infantry Reconnaissance Company (Infanterispaningskompani)
    • Infantry Anti-tank Company (Infanteripansarvärnskompani), with 90mm Pvpj 1110 recoilless rifles
    • Assault Gun Company (Stormkanonkompani), 12x Infanterikanonvagn 91
    • Infantry Air Defense Company (Infanteriluftvärnskompani), 9x RBS 70 MANPADS, 9x 20mm m/40-70 automatic cannons
Infantry Brigade 77
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Infantry Brigade Type 77 Structure (click to enlarge)

Sweden fielded ten Type 77 infantry brigades. Each brigade had around 5,200 men. Type 77 brigades were first-line brigades equipped with the newest equipment.

  • Infantry Brigade[4]
    • Infantry Brigade Staff (Infanteribrigadstab)
    • 3x Brigade Infantry Battalions (Brigadskyttebataljon), 959 men,
      • Brigade Battalion Staff and Brigade Battalion Staff Company (Brigadskyttebataljonsstab och brigadskyttebataljonsstabskompani)
      • 4x Brigade Infantry Companies (Brigadskyttekompani), in trucks and Bandvagn 202
      • Brigade Mortar Company (Brigadgranatkastarkompani), 6x 120mm Krh/40 mortars
      • Brigade Supply Company (Brigadtrosskompani)
    • Brigade Howitzer Battalion (Brigadhaubitsbataljon), 589 men
      • Brigade Howitzer Battalion Staff and Brigade Howitzer Battalion Staff Company (Brigadhaubitsbataljonsstab med brigadhaubitsbataljonsstabskompani)
      • 3x Brigade Howitzer Companies (Brigadhaubitskompani), 4x 155mm FH77 towed howitzers each
      • Brigade Howitzer Supply Company (Brigadhaubitstrosskompani)
    • Brigade Engineer Battalion (Brigadingenjörsbataljon), 403 men, over 8,500 mines
      • Brigade Engineer Battalion Staff and Brigade Engineer Equipment Company (Brigadingenjörbataljonsstab med brigadingenjörmaterielkompani)
      • 2x Brigade Engineer Companies (Brigadingenjörkompani)
    • Brigade Logistic Battalion (Brigadunderhållsbataljon), 700 men
      • Brigade Logistic Battalion Staff and Brigade Logistic Battalion Staff Company (Brigadunderhållsbataljonsstab med brigadunderhållsbataljonsstabskompani)
      • Brigade Transport Company (Brigadtransportkompani)
      • Brigade Repair and Quartermaster Company (Brigadreparations- och intendenturkompani)
      • Brigade Medical Company (Brigadsjukvårdskompani)
      • 2x Light Brigade Logistic Companies (Lätt Brigadunderhållskompani)
    • Brigade Reconnaissance Company (Brigadspaningskompani), 108 men
    • Brigade Anti-tank Company (Brigadpansarvärnskompani), 127 men, 6x 90mm Pvpj 1110 recoilless rifles, BILL 1 anti-tank guided missile launchers
    • Tracked Anti-tank Company (Bandpansarvärnskompani), 133 men, 12x Infanterikanonvagn 91
    • Brigade Air Defense Company (Brigadluftvärnskompani), 216 men, 9x RBS 70 MANPADS, 9x 20mm m/40-70 automatic cannons
Norrland Brigade 85
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Norrland Brigade Type 85 Structure (click to enlarge)

Sweden fielded five Type 85 Norrland brigades. Each Norrland had around 5,500 men. Type 85 brigades were first-line units equipped with the newest equipment and trained specifically for ski, arctic and winter warfare, as well as partisan tactics. The entire infantry of the brigade was transported with Bandvagn 202 vehicles, providing the brigade with off-road mobility and Sweden's North. The brigades were based in Norrland and the adjoining Dalarna County.

  • Norrland Brigade[5]
    • Norrland Brigade Staff (Norrlandbrigadstab)
    • 4x Norrland Infantry Battalions (Norrlands skyttebataljon), 770 men, 67x Bandvagn 202
      • Norrland Battalion Staff, and Norrland Battalion Staff and Mortar Company (Norrlands skyttebataljonsstab och granatkastarkompani), 6x 120mm Krh/40 mortars
      • 3x Norrland Infantry Companies (Norrlands skyttekompani),
      • Norrland Supply Company (Norrlands trosskompani)
    • Norrland Howitzer Battalion (Norrlands haubitsbataljon), 564 men
      • Norrland Howitzer Battalion Staff and Norrland Howitzer Battalion Staff Company (Norrlands haubitsbataljonsstab med Norrlands haubitsbataljonsstabskompani)
      • 3x Norrland Howitzer Companies (Norrlands haubitskompani), 4x 155mm FH77 towed howitzers each
      • Norrland Howitzer Supply Company (Norrlands haubitstrosskompani)
    • Norrland Engineer Battalion (Norrlands ingenjörsbataljon), 532 men, over 14,000 mines
      • Norrland Engineer Battalion Staff, and Norrland Engineer Battalion Staff and Supply Company (Norrlands ingenjörbataljonsstab med Norrlands ingenjörsbataljonsstabs- och trosskompani)
      • Heavy Norrland Engineer Company (Tungt Norrlands ingenjörkompani)
      • Light Norrland Engineer Company (Lätt Norrlands ingenjörkompani)
      • Norrland Engineer Equipment Company (Norrlands ingenjörsmaskinkompani)
    • Norrland Logistic Battalion (Norrlands underhållsbataljon), 768 men
      • Norrland Logistic Battalion Staff and Norrland Logistic Battalion Staff Company (Norrlands underhållsbataljonsstab med Norrlands underhållsbataljonsstabskompani)
      • Norrland Ammunition and Transport Company (Norrlands ammunitions- och transportkompani)
      • Norrland Repair and Quartermaster Company (Norrlands reparations- och intendenturkompani)
      • Norrland Medical Company (Norrlandssjukvårdskompani)
      • 2x Light Norrland Logistic Companies (Lätt Norrlandsunderhållskompani)
    • Norrland Reconnaissance Company (Norrlands spaningskompani), 117 men, 18x Bandvagn 202
    • Norrland Anti-tank Company (Norrlands pansarvärnskompani), 93 men, 6x TOW anti-tank guided missile launchers
    • Norrland Tracked Anti-tank Company (Norrlands bandpansarvärnskompani), 132 men, 12x Infanterikanonvagn 91
    • Norrland Air Defense Company (Norrlands luftvärnskompani), 193 men, 9x RBS 70 MANPADS

Air Force

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JA 37 Viggen fighters of the 132nd Fighter Squadron of the Bråvalla Air Force Wing in 1981

The only unit under direct command of the Air Force's Air Staff was the E 1 - 1st Attack Group (E 1 - Attackeskadern), which fielded the air force's strike aircraft. All other wings were under command of the four air defense sectors. The air force's wartime strength as approved the Swedish Parliament in 1987 was:[6]

  • 7x Fighter squadrons, with JA 37 Viggen fighter aircraft
  • 4x Fighter squadrons, with J 35J Draken fighter aircraft
  • 5.5x Attack squadrons, with AJ 37 Viggen attack aircraft
  • 3x Reconnaissance squadrons, with SF 37 Viggen photo reconnaissance aircraft and SH 37 Viggen maritime reconnaissance/strike aircraft
  • 4x Light attack squadrons, with Saab 105A advanced jet trainers

By 1989 the air force had deactivated one J 35J Draken squadron because of the age of the Draken fighters, while adding another JA 37 Viggen squadron in its stead. The four squadrons of the Swedish Air Force Flying School would have become the four light attack squadrons in case of war.

Air Force in 1989

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In 1989 the air force fielded the following operational units and commands:

Air Force Schools

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In 1989 the air force trained its pilots and ground personnel at the following schools:

  • Air Staff, in Stockholm
    • F 5 - Swedish Air Force Flying School, in Ljungbyhed
      • 1st Training Squadron, with Saab 105A advanced jet trainers
      • 2nd Training Squadron, with Saab 105A advanced jet trainers
      • 3rd Training Squadron, with Saab 105A advanced jet trainers
      • 4th Training Squadron (Reserve Officers Training), with Saab 105A advanced jet trainers
      • 5th Training Squadron (Basic Flight Training) with Sk 61A and Sk 61B planes
      • Basic Flight School
      • Combat Flight School
      • Civil Aviation School
      • Aerial Navigation School
      • Air Force Meteorology School
    • F 14 - Halmstad Air Force Schools, in Halmstad
      • Air Force Officer College
      • Air Force Command and Control School
      • Air Force Technical School
      • Air Force Ground Signal Engineering School
      • Air Force Liaison and Staff Service School
    • F 20 - Uppsala Air Force Schools, in Uppsala
      • Air Force War College
      • Air Force Flight Officer School
      • Air Force Command and Air Surveillance School
      • Interpreter School

Air Force Inventory

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JA 37 Viggen fighters of the Bråvalla Air Force Wing in 1982

In 1989 the air force's inventory consisted of:[1]

Additionally the air force kept nearly 500 Draken jets as operational reserve in storage.

In wartime the air force would have fielded 11x Command and Surveillance battalions, and 33x Ground Support and Maintenance battalions, which would have manned air bases in the Bas 60 and Bas 90 air base system.

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Swedish main naval bases and coastal artillery locations in 1989
Swedish Navy HSwMS Älvsborg (M02), command ship and minelayer
Swedish Navy HSwMS Orion (A201), ELINT-collection ship

The only unit under direct command of the Swedish Navy's Naval Staff was the 1st Submarine Flotilla (1. Ubflj), which fielded the navy's entire submarine fleet. All other naval units and naval aviation would have come in wartime under the command of the five military districts with sea access, and the Gotland Military Command. The navy's wartime strength as approved the Swedish Parliament in 1987 was:[7]

  • 4x Coastal Corvette/Missile Boat Divisions
  • 4x Patrol Boat Divisions
  • 2x Submarine Divisions
  • 6x Minelaying Divisions
  • 8x Minesweeping Divisions
  • 8x Helicopter Divisions

By 1989 the navy had begun to reduce the number of divisions and combined the eight small helicopter divisions in three larger helicopter groups. The coastal corvette/missile boat divisions were reduced to three and the minelaying and minesweeping divisions were reduced to four.

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In 1989 the navy fielded the following operational units and commands:

  • Naval Staff, in Stockholm
    • Coastal Artillery Combat School, in Näsbypark
    • ÖrlB O - East Coast Naval Base, in Muskö
    • ÖrlB S - South Coast Naval Base, in Karlskrona
    • MKV - West Coast Naval Command, in Gothenburg
    • MKN - Norrland Coast Naval Command, in Härnösand
    • BoMö - Malmö Naval Surveillance, in Malmö
    • 1st Submarine Flotilla, in Muskö
    • 1st Surface Attack Flotilla, at the Berga Naval Base in Hårsfjärden
      • 10th Coastal Corvette Division
      • 11th Missile Boat Division
        • 6x Norrköping-class missile boats (HSwMS Umeå (R137), HSwMS Piteå (R138), HSwMS Luleå (R139), HSwMS Halmstad (R140), HSwMS Strömstad (R141), HSwMS Ystad (R142))
      • 13th Patrol Boat Division
        • 4x Hugin-class patrol boats (HSwMS Vale (P155), HSwMS Vidar (P156), HSwMS Mjölner (P157), HSwMS Mysing (P158))
      • 14th Patrol Boat Division,
        • 4x Hugin-class patrol boats (HSwMS Kaparen (P159), HSwMS Väktaren (P160), HSwMS Snapphanen (P161), HSwMS Spejaren (P162))
    • 4th Surface Attack Flotilla, in Karlskrona
      • 44th Missile Boat Division
        • 6x Norrköping-class missile boats (HSwMS Norrköping (R131), HSwMS Nynäshamn (R132), HSwMS Norrtälje (R133), HSwMS Varberg (R134), HSwMS Västerås (R135), HSwMS Västervik (R136))
      • 46th Patrol Boat Division
        • 4x Hugin-class patrol boats (HSwMS Styrbjörn (P163), HSwMS Starkodder (P164), HSwMS Tordön (P165), HSwMS Tirfing (P166))
      • 48th Patrol Boat Division in Gothenburg,
        • 4x Hugin-class patrol boats (HSwMS Hugin (P151), HSwMS Munin (P152), HSwMS Magne (P153), HSwMS Mode (P1514)
    • 2nd Mine Clearing Squadron, in Muskö
      • 211th Mine Clearing Division
    • 5th Minelaying Squadron, in Muskö
    • 6th Mine Clearing Squadron, in Muskö
      • 611th Mine Clearing Division
        • 4x Arkö-class coastal minesweepers (HSwMS Arkö (M57), HSwMS Skaftö (M62), HSwMS Nämdö (M67), HSwMS Blidö (M68))
      • 1st Diving Division
    • 14th Logistic Division, in Muskö
      • HSwMS Orion (A201), ELINT-collection ship
      • 1x Tanker (HSwMS Brännaren (A228))
      • 3x Oiler-tugs (HSwMS Achilles (A251), HSwMS Ajax (A252), HSwMS Hermes (A253))
      • 4x Oilers (HSwMS Hägern (A246), HSwMS Sigrun (A256), HSwMS Loke (A344), HSwMS Utö (A261))
      • 1x Mine transport ship (HSwMS Minören (A237)),
      • 1x Torpedo salvage boat (HSwMS Pingvinen (A248))
      • 1x Command ship (HSwMS Gålö (A263))
    • 1st School Flotilla in Stockholm
      • 2x Sail ships (HSwMS Gladan (S01), HSwMS Falken (S02))
      • 3x Training boats (HSwMS Jägaren (P150), HSwMS Tjurkö (M53), HSwMS Ornö (M55))
    • Development Command "Coastal Corvette Göteborg"

Additional vessels included the following lightly armed coastal patrol vessels: HSwMS Arild (V03), HSwMS Viken (V04), HSwMS Öregrund (V05), HSwMS Slite (V06), HSwMS Marstrand (V07), HSwMS Lysekil (V08), HSwMS Dalarö (V09), HSwMS Sandhamn (V10) and HSwMS Östhammar (V11).

In wartime the Swedish Navy would activate the Fiske-class coastal minesweeping trawlers: HSwMS Gåssten (M31), HSwMS Norsten (M32), HSwMS Viksten (M33, HSwMS Orust (M41), HSwMS Tjörn (M42), HSwMS Hisingen (M43), HSwMS Blackan (M44), HSwMS Dämman (M45), HSwMS Galten (M46), HSwMS Gillöga (M47), HSwMS Rödlöga (M48) and HSwMS Svartlöga (M49).

Coastal Artillery

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Coastal Artillery 105mm Tornautomatpjäs m/50 automatic gun on Arholma
Coastal Artillery 120mm Tornautomatpjäs m/70 automatic gun on Landsort
Coastal Artillery twin 152mm Kustartilleripjäs m/51 heavy gun on Gotland

Sweden's coastal artillery was tasked with preventing amphibious landings of enemy forces on Sweden's coast. To fulfill its mission the coastal artillery would have fielded in wartime a varied mix of units:

  • 19x fortress (cordon) battalions manning fixed artillery positions (Spärrbataljon)
  • 6x mobile cordon battalions (Rörliga Spärrbataljon), with one battery of 3x mobile 75mm m/65 guns, one battery with light Robot 52 anti-ship missiles and a mining platoon
  • 3x coastal artillery battalions (Kustartillerietbataljon), with three batteries of 4x mobile 120mm M/80 cannons each
  • 4x coastal missile batteries (Kustrobotbatteri), with Robot 08 anti-ship missiles (later reduced to one battery with Robot 15 missiles)
  • ?x mobile cordon companies (Rörliga Spärrkompani), a light Robot 52 anti-ship missile platoon and a mining platoon, both with their organic boat transport
  • 1x coastal artillery battery (Kustartillerietbatteri), with 3x mobile 152mm M/37 cannons

In peacetime troops destined for the coastal artillery units were trained by five coastal artillery regiments:

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Swedish Naval Aviation CH-46B Sea Knight in 1984

In 1989 the naval aviation's inventory consisted of:[1]

Home Guard

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The Swedish Home Guard provided troops for local defense. Home Guard units were under command of the Defense District Commanders and usually were a mix of infantry, engineers, air defense and light artillery. In 1989 the Home Guard could field 85 battalions with 100,000 men.

References

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  1. ^ a b c "World's Air Forces 1989". Flight International: 93. 29 November 1989. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  2. ^ http://data.riksdagen.se/fil/296bb46c-db54-40e8-9b82-a401ca498bd3 Swedish Parliament Resolution: Five Year Defense Plan 1987
  3. ^ "Arméhandbok del 1 Organisation Pansarbrigadensförband" (AH1 1977). Swedish Army. 28 April 1977. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. ^ "Arméhandbok del 1 Organisation Infanteribrigadförband AH1:IB 77" (AH1 1977). Swedish Army. 10 March 1991. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  5. ^ "Arméhandbok del 1 Organisation Norrlandsbrigadensförband AH1:NB 85" (AH1 1990). Swedish Army. 8 June 1990. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  6. ^ http://data.riksdagen.se/fil/296bb46c-db54-40e8-9b82-a401ca498bd3 Swedish Parliament Resolution: Five Year Defense Plan 1987
  7. ^ http://data.riksdagen.se/fil/296bb46c-db54-40e8-9b82-a401ca498bd3 Swedish Parliament Resolution: Five Year Defense Plan 1987