NATO HQ 3 Dec. 1999

Intervention by Lena Jnsson State Secretary of Defence of Sweden Mr Chairman, The focus on ur discussions here today is the practical lessons to be drawn from the continuing drama on the Balkans. For Sweden like most other EAPC-countries the changes in the European security environment during the last decade have great implications for security policy and for defence planning. Sweden, being militarily non-aligned, has gradually broadened its participation in international crisis management co-operation. Now, we are taking decisive steps to abandon a defence structure entirely focused on territorial defence against large scale aggression. Our aim is to forge a more flexible structure capable of being utilised for both national and international contingencies. A prime task is participation in handling the immediate challenges of multinational crisis management and peace support operations, mandated by the UN or the OSCE. We will of course also retain a capability to defend against possible national threats and to adapt to future requirements. The Defence Bill presented by the Swedish Government last week is built on relatively moderate cuts in our present defence budget on the basis of our more favourable security situation. We are aiming at increasing quality and shaping a modernised and versatile defence based on a compulsory conscript system. To make this possible, we are going to pursue a quick restructuring, eliminating structures -peace time as well as war time- of our cold war defence. Through this we will create resources for modernisation and for new elements, for example units specialised in information technology. The ability to contribute to international peace and security will thus be a priority for the Armed Forces. The conflict in Kosovo has given us experiences on which we can further improve our ability to rapidly deploy in an international operation. The new system we are introducing for setting up and training of units will gradually make our operational units more available and more suited for international missions. Our mechanised batallions will be trained to be more suitable for Peace Support Operations. Naval and air force units will in a longer time perspective develop interoperability for Peace Support Operations. However, already today, our transport aircraft are heavily involved in Peace Support Operations. While presently mainly focused on the ground forces we will gradually broaden our possible participation to include also other parts of our armed forces. This will take some time, however, and in the short term we will give special priority to increasing our present rapid reaction capability with ground forces and to some special functions as mine clearance and transportation. Our ambition is to gradually increase our overall capability and in a few years time to double our capability to contribute. Lastly Mr Chairman, let me emphasise that Sweden remains committed to the further development of the Partnership for Peace. The developed PfP Planning and Review Process will play a significant role in the build up of our capability to contribute to multinational peace support operations. We welcome the new PARP Ministerial Guidance that we have just agreed on as a good basis for further development of interoperability and capabilities. We are following the DCI process with interest, knowing that many of its priorities will be of similar relevance for partners participating in Peace Support Operations. Thank you Mr Chairman.