Defence audits expose gaps in Sweden's military readiness

Sweden's military build-up is being held back by weaknesses in logistics, healthcare and resource planning, according to two new audits. The criticism also raises a question for ministers: who decides what must be defended first?

The National Audit Office said on 29 September that shortages of staff and equipment, lengthy delays and inefficient working methods had slowed improvements in military units' availability and endurance.

Logistics and healthcare are rehearsed too little, and exercises lack realism. Infrastructure is another bottleneck.

A separate review found that the Armed Forces do not adequately connect costs with objectives and results. That makes it difficult to compare options or establish which activities use resources most effectively.

When resources cannot cover every task, competing priorities are too often left unresolved until operations are under way, the auditors found.

They want the Armed Forces to document choices and their consequences more clearly. But a central responsibility lies with the government: specifying which geographical areas and essential functions of society should receive particular protection during an armed attack.

DailySweden

DailySweden's desk of editors, reporters, researchers and investigative journalists. We bring readers factual, truthful and objective reporting on the issues that matter to them.

Contact the editorial desk ›