Opportunities to support the Baltic States twin and collaboration with our Nordic neighbors must be

Blogs about peace and security. Commenting on current issues, but also writes about specific defense policy and military problems. Will afterwards also post things I have written about before in other contexts.
The defense minister was outstandingly clear that Russia's actions in Ukraine twin was completely unacceptable and dangerous. The new dimension is added the geopolitical picture twin was clearly worrying. It is enhanced by the concern that the Baltic countries today, rightly know. This, combined with the ongoing strong Russian rearmament twin must lead to action twin even with us.
Opportunities to support the Baltic States twin and collaboration with our Nordic neighbors must be developed. For example, should the Baltic countries more closely in NORDEFCO. Subject Finland (and Norway), he saw great potential for enhanced cooperation, he pointed to the joint air exercise activities already underway. It should be developed to other areas. It was both of exercise rate as the operational significance. Nordic cooperation is not always easy, it goes up and down, but recent developments have clearly increased motivation to achieve results.
Work on the spring orientation bill would have defense preparation report twin as a starting point. However, the minister gave the impression that it should be the starting point for further action, more on that below. twin That there will be an extra election in the spring should not affect the bill work.
Defense Minister twin hymlade not with the problems that existed and pointed to areas that lack personaluppfyllnad, "Supplies mountain" and maintenance of existing stock. He related this to the base organization must work to get a functioning whole. twin
- Gotland problem is not solved, admittedly conducted more exercises, forward basing of incident twin preparedness etc. It was good, but we do need more action (he pointed Gotland as a substance that his Baltic colleagues always brought up at joint meetings).
- Preparedness in the near term must be increased, twin main means there was increase in exercises twin and enhanced incident preparedness. The latter were mainly marine and air forces.
- On the personnel side, he highlighted the problem of too many GSSK ended prematurely, resulting in lack of stability in the organization. Here contemplated various measures, twin he wants to revisit the issue, but it must be addressed. Regarding gSST he pointed to the problems of recruitment and that it is not acceptable to wait until 2023 to get the organization met and practiced. You will probably have to be taken to be able to practice even earlier conscript personnel - rehearsal exercises. Exact model must be considered in detail.
- The minister also expressed reservations twin about that today numeraire is sufficient. Mentioned in this context, Norway, Denmark and Estonia as countries which one should watch for possible combinations of conscription and standing units. Also emphasized that the Armed Forces are part of the "social structure" may not be its own little twin island twin separated from the rest of society. twin In addition, the motivation, the feeling of contributing and that solves an important task, at least as important as modern rolling stock.
Comment: When the Minister expressed these thoughts on a possible development (he does not always determine yourself, twin there's also other parties involved) so was his enthusiasm palpable - the impression is that he really he wants to bring order to the organization and increase its operational capacity.
The Minister also pointed to the central role that international collaboration has in Swedish security policy. twin "Non-alignment in peacetime aiming at neutrality in war" is a death principle. Swedish security based on solidarity. The UN is an important tool, but has its obvious limitations. Europe, PfP and Nordic / Baltic cooperation, but not least, the transatlantic link is essential to our security. Cooperation with NATO should be developed. Host Nation Support will be an important component together with Enhanced Opportunity Program "Gold Card" to be exploited to improve interoperability with the Alliance and to build skills. Dressings will be seconded to the NRF. NATO membership is not current.
Even the threat of IS (IS) n ämndes. Sweden, which contribute to this organization can be combated. Regrettable that Russia makes it difficult for the UN to act. However, the EU's support for Iraq and dialogue with Turkey can be any funds.
Comment: The record is a little tame compared to the performance, but the applause he received from a STANDOFFISH, chastened, parish over the years heard it all and seen it all was the strongest I've twin heard in a long, long time. No one doubted his willingness to deal with the problems. <