Swedish Air Force

The Swedish Air Force (Template:Langx or just {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}) is the air force branch of the Swedish Armed Forces.

History

File:DH.98 Mosquito NFXIX MM638 RSwAF RWY 10.49 edited-2.jpg

DH.98 Mosquito NF.19 night fighter of the Swedish Air Force in 1949

The Swedish Air Force was created on 1 July 1926 when the aircraft units of the Army and Navy were merged. Because of the escalating international tension during the 1930s the Air Force was reorganized and expanded from four to seven squadrons.

World War II

When World War II broke out in 1939 further expansion was initiated and this substantial expansion was not finished until the end of the war. Although Sweden never entered the war, a large air force was considered necessary to ward off the threat of invasion and to resist pressure through military threats from the great powers. By 1945 the Swedish Air Force had over 800 combat-ready aircraft, including 15 fighter divisions.

A major problem for the Swedish Air Force during World War II was the lack of fuel. Sweden was surrounded by countries at war and could not rely on imported oil. Instead domestic oil shale was heated to produce the needed petrol.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

About 250 aircrew were killed in crashes 1939-1945 according to statistics that were not disclosed during the war years but published afterwards.<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Expansion during the Cold War

File:Swedish Airforce P51D Mustang.jpg

Swedish Air Force P-51D on display at the Swedish Air Force Museum

The Swedish Air Force underwent a rapid modernization from 1945. It was no longer politically acceptable to equip it with second-rate aircraft types. Instead, the Air Staff purchased the best it could find from abroad, e.g. P-51D Mustangs, De Havilland Mosquito NF.19 night fighters and de Havilland Vampires, and supported the development of top performance domestic models. The Saab 29 Tunnan jet fighter was introduced around 1950.

In the late 1950s the Swedish Air Force introduced the Bas 60 air base system, which revolved around force dispersal of air squadrons across many wartime air bases in case of war in order to make it complicated for an opponent to destroy the air force on the ground. Road runways were also introduced as backup runways. Bas 60 was developed further into Bas 90 during the 1970s and 1980s.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

During the Cold War large amounts of money (including funds intended for the Swedish nuclear weapons programme) were spent on the Swedish Air Force and domestic aircraft production. In 1957 Sweden had the world's fourth most powerful air force,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> with about 1,000 modern planes in front-line service.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> During the 1950s, it introduced fighters such as the Saab J 29 Tunnan, Saab A 32 Lansen and Saab J 35 Draken.Template:Citation needed

In June 1952 the Swedish Air Force lost two aircraft on Cold War operations, in what became known as the Catalina affair. A signals intelligence Douglas DC-3 was intercepted by Soviet MiG-15s over the Baltic, and shot down with the loss of three aircrew and five civilian technicians. A PBY Catalina rescue seaplane was then also downed, the five-man crew being rescued from the sea by a freighter.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In the air defense role the Swedish Air Force also operated surface-to-air missiles. Svea Air Corps (F 8) operated de Havilland J-28B Vampire jet aircraft in 1949 being replaced in 1953 by Saab J-29 Tunnan and in 1957 by J-34 Hunter fighters. As of 1961 F 8 reroled into missile defence role becoming the air force technical training centre for using the new RB-68 Bloodhound systems in 2 squadrons until 1974.

These Swedish units also operated the RB-68 missile system (1 squadron each):

• Scania Wing, also F 10 Ängelholm
• Kalmar Wing, also F 12 Kalmar,
• Bråvalla Wing, also F 13 Norrköping
• Blekinge Wing, also F 17 Kallinge,

Death toll during the Cold War

In the Cold War era, more than 600 Swedish fighter pilots were killed in crashes during peacetime exercises and training in the 1945–1991 period.<ref>Template:Cite episode</ref> In the 1950s–60s era the flight training curriculum was deficient and the training regimes were too risky and some aircraft types had design flaws. In the 1950s, about 21 pilots were killed annually.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite news</ref>

In the 1960s the average number of killed were 13 per year, which meant Sweden had sixfold mortality rate per 100,000 flight hours compared to the United States. In the 1960s flight safety started to become a consideration, not due to the death toll but because the aircraft were getting increasingly expensive.<ref name=":1" /> In October 1960, a Lansen fighter crashed into a farmhouse and killed 7 people.<ref name=":0" /> In the 1970s the death toll was reduced to 6–7 per year. In subsequent years, it continued to fall and from 1996 onwards, no fatal accident has been recorded.<ref name=":1" />

War service

The Swedish Air Force has been involved in three wars, the Finno-Soviet Winter War in 1939–40, in which volunteers took part, the Congo Crisis, 1961–64, and in the 2011 Libyan civil war.

Finland 1940

When the Soviet Union attacked Finland in November 1939, Sweden came to its neighbour's assistance but eventually decided not to join the war.

A Swedish volunteer infantry brigade and a volunteer air squadron fought in northern Finland from January to March 1940. The squadron was designated F 19 and consisted of 12 Gloster Gladiator fighters and four Hawker Hart dive-bombers.

Congo 1961–1964

File:Saab SH37 Viggen, Sweden - Air Force AN1117576.jpg

Saab 37 Viggen (1972–2005)

The Swedish Air Force saw combat as part of the United Nations peace-keeping mission ONUC during the Congo Crisis in 1961 to 1964. It established a separate air wing, F 22, equipped with a dozen Saab 29 Tunnans, which performed well under the rough conditions in central Africa. The secessionist adversaries possessed only a small number of aircraft with poor combat capabilities, e.g. Fouga Magister trainers.

1990s restructuring

With the end of the Cold War the Swedish Armed Forces underwent a massive restructuring process. During this time, several air bases were deemed unnecessary and closed with fighters like the Saab 37 Viggen retired prematurely. In 1994 the Air Force had over 400 fighters, by 2005 that number had sunken to fewer than 150.

Libya 2011

On 29 March 2011, the Swedish prime minister announced that eight Saab JAS 39 Gripens would support the UN-mandated no-fly zone over Libya.<ref name="Associated Press">Template:Cite news</ref> The announcement responded to a NATO request for assistance. The Swedish fighters were limited to supporting the no-fly zone and were not authorized to engage in ground attack sorties. The deployment was approved by the Swedish Riksdag on 1 April 2011 and the first jets departed for Libya on 2 April. A C-130 Hercules accompanied the fighters for mid-air refueling.<ref name="The Local">Template:Cite news</ref>

Equipment

Aircraft

File:Gripen - RIAT 2009 (3743462918).jpg

A Gripen performing at RIAT 2009

File:Agusta A109 (Hkp-15A) 15025 25 levels.jpg

An A109E on take off

File:S 100B at Malmen 2010-06-13 1.jpg

A Saab 340 AEW&C in flight at the Swedish Armed Forces' Airshow 2010.

Aircraft	Origin	Type	Variant	In service	Notes
Combat aircraft
JAS 39 Gripen	Sweden	Multirole	JAS 39C JAS 39D JAS 39E	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> 23<ref name="World Air Forces 2024" /> 3 (60)<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>	60 E variants on order 24 Gripen A/B in storage 120 C/D/E units are projected to be operational.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
AWACS
Saab 340	Sweden	AEW&C	ASC 890	2<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>	Equipped with the Erieye radar. 2 pledged to Ukraine.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Bombardier Global 6000	Canada	AEW&C	GlobalEye		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Reconnaissance
Gulfstream IV	United States	SIGINT		2
Tanker
KC-130 Hercules	United States	Aerial refueling	KC-130H	1<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>	To be phased out
Transport
Saab 340	Sweden	Utility transport		1<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>	One used for reconnaissance
Gulfstream IV	United States	VIP transport		2	To be phased out 2026
C-130 Hercules	United States	Tactical airlifter	C-130H	5<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Embraer KC-390	Brazil	Tactical airlifter			4 on order via Netherlands Air Force to replace C-130H<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref>
Bombardier Global 6500	Canada	VIP transport			2 on order
Helicopters
Sikorsky UH-60	United States	Utility	UH-60M	15 <ref name="World Air Forces 2024" />	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
NHIndustries NH90	European Union	Utility / Transport	TTH	18<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>	To be phased out
AgustaWestland AW109	Italy	Trainer / Light utility		20<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>	To be phased out
Trainer aircraft
Grob G 120TP	Germany	Basic trainer		10	3 on order in 2024, to be delivered by 2025.
UAV
AAI RQ-7 Shadow	United States	Surveillance		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Elbit Skylark<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Israel	Surveillance

Note: Three C-17 Globemaster III's are available through the Heavy Airlift Wing based in Hungary<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2025 the Swedish Air Force announced the intention to join the NATO MMR fleet together with the Danish Air Force.

Weapons

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Organization

Fighter wings

There are four fighter wings:

• Skaraborg Wing (F 7), at Såtenäs Air Base, operates JAS 39C/D<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Uppland Wing (F 16), at Ärna Air Base, reestablished in 2021 and without fighter divisions as of 2024<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Blekinge Wing (F 17), at Ronneby Air Base, operates JAS 39C/D
• Norrbotten Wing (F 21), at Luleå Air Base, operates JAS 39C/D

Helicopter squadrons

The aviation units that were formerly under the Swedish Army ("{{#invoke:Lang|lang}}") and the Swedish Navy ("{{#invoke:Lang|lang}}") have been merged with the helicopter units of the Air Force to form the single Helicopter Wing ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}) for the entire Armed Forces. The wing has been placed under the authority of the Air Force and consists of:

• 1st Helicopter Squadron, co-located with Norrbotten Wing at Luleå Air Base, operates NH90 TTH (Hkp 14)
• 2nd Helicopter Squadron, at Malmen Air Base, operates AW109 (Hkp 15) and UH-60M Black Hawk (Hkp 16)
• 3rd Helicopter Squadron, co-located with Blekinge Wing at Ronneby Air Base, operates NH90 TTH (Hkp 14) and AW109 (Hkp 15)
• 4th Helicopter Squadron, at Malmen Air Base, operates AW109 (Hkp 15) and UH-60M Black Hawk (Hkp 16)

Other squadrons

The air transport units perform airlift operations, and are used in both national and in international missions. The unit also organizes the Swedish part of the Heavy Airlift Wing in Hungary. Signals reconnaissance units conduct electronic combat reconnaissance and intelligence gathering.

• 71st Air Transport Squadron, co-located with Skaraborg Wing at Såtenäs Air Base, operates C-130H Hercules
• 74th Special Air Squadron, at Malmen Air Base, operates Gulfstream IV-SP, Saab 340 AEW&C and Saab 340
• 75th State Air Squadron, at Arlanda Air Base, operates Gulfstream IV

Future of the Swedish Air Force

File:Saab JAS-39E Gripen (53327257948) (cropped).jpg

Gripen E at RIAT 2023

At RIAT 2022, the commander of the Swedish Air Force stated that the air force in the future (2030) will consist of 60 Jas 39C/D and 60 Jas 39E in a total of 7 fighter squadrons.

In November 2022, the Strategic Defence Plan was published in which it was announced that all NH90 helicopters will be phased out and replaced, additional Sikorsky Black Hawks will be ordered for the tactical transport role, a new medium sized helicopter for the ASW/ASuW role will be selected.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Saab JAS 39 Gripen E

Currently the Swedish Air Force main fighter is the Saab JAS 39 Gripen, in the C/D versions. By 2018 95 fighters were active with about 30 of these being updated from the A version.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The heavily modernised E version will augment the current fleet of Gripen C/D. The aircraft includes a new Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, an Infrared search and track (IRST) sensor and is powered by the improved General Electric F414G. Gripen E also has an increased maximum take-off weight, carries more fuel and has two more hardpoints than the Gripen C/D allowing it to carry more weapons.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The upgrade also includes the integration of new weapons like the Meteor air-to-air missile.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2013 Saab signed an agreement with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration for 60 new Gripen E. JAS 39E will join the Swedish Air Force in 2025 and is planned to remain in service until at least 2060.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Next generation fighter jet

The Swedish Air Force plans to retain its fleet of JAS 39C/D until some time after 2030. In an effort to replace JAS 39C/D the Swedish Air Force has formulated three options for the procurement of a new fighter jet with a desicion to be made in 2031 at the latest.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Fully domestic development of a next generation fighter jet
• Joint development of a next generation fighter jet with other countries
• "Off-the-shelf" purchase of a foreign fighter jet

In an effort to maintain the possibility of persuing any of the three options SAAB was awarded a two year contract by the Swedish Air Force for concept studies for next generation fighter jet studies in 2024. The program, called KFS, includes the development of both a next generation manned fighter jet and unmanned systems such as loyal wingmen. The construction of technology demonstrators is planned during the second phase of studies which will commence in 2026.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Sweden had signed a memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the United Kingdom and Italy in 2021 regarding the joint development of next generation technologies for the Tempest fighter jet. Sweden would later walk away from the project which by then had evolved into GCAP citing differences between its requirements for a next generation fighter jet and those of the UK, Italy and Japan. <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

File:Lockheed Hercules C-130H of the Swedish Air Force (code 845) at RIAT Fairford 17July2017 arp.jpg

A Swedish Air Force C-130 Hercules at the 2017 RIAT, England

Military transport aircraft

The Swedish C-130 Hercules (TP 84) were bought from the United States in the 1960s and has been updated several times. The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration has been tasked to update the aircraft so they can remain in service until 2030. In November 2024 the Swedish Air Force announced that it had selected the Embraer C-390 Millennium as its future military transport aircraft.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> As part of the Heavy Airlift Wing cooperation, Sweden also operates three Boeing C-17 which are located at Pápa Air Base in Hungary.

Training aircraft

Sweden used the Saab 105 as the primary jet-trainer until phase out per June 2024. About 40 planes were operational. Designed in the 1960s the aircraft is starting to show its age and were gradually phased out from active service. The Swedish Air Force selected the Grob G 120TP as its new Basic Trainer Aircraft, designated SK 40. 10 aircraft have been ordered and delivered but due to work environment problems caused by high workload the implementation of the new planes have been put on hold temporarily.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Saab GlobalEye AEW&C

Sweden will procure the Saab GlobalEye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) platform to replace its two S100D/ASC890. The Swedish Armed Forces submitted an official request to the government to buy the Saab GlobalEye platform on October 1, 2021. On October 24, 2021 the Swedish government approved the purchase to replace its old S100D/ASC890.

On 30 June 2022 SAAB and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) signed a contract for the acquisition of 2 GlobalEye aircraft, to be designated S 106 in Swedish service. The deal is valued at 7,3 billion SEK (US$710 million) and deliveries was scheduled for 2027. The contract also included the option to procure up to 2 additional GlobalEye aircraft. After pledging its current Saab ASC 890 platforms to Ukraine, the GlobalEye delivery was expedited and 1 additional aircraft was ordered by the Swedish Air Force.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Ranks

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Commissioned officer ranks

The rank insignia of commissioned officers.

Template:Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armed Forces/OF/BlankTemplate:Ranks and Insignia of NATO Air Forces/OF/Sweden

Other ranks

The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.

Template:Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armies/OR/BlankTemplate:Ranks and Insignia of NATO Air Forces/OR/Sweden

See also

• Chief of Air Force (Sweden)
• Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences
• List of air forces
• Swedish Air Force Museum
• Swedish Air Force Historic Flight

Swedish military equipment

List of equipment of the Swedish Armed Forces

• Swedish Air Force
  • List of equipment of the Swedish Air Force
  • Weapons of the Swedish Air Force
  • List of military aircraft of Sweden
• Swedish Army:
  • List of equipment of the Swedish Army
• Swedish Navy
  • List of active ships of the Swedish Navy
  • List of equipment of the Swedish Navy
• Swedish Home Guard
  • List of equipment of the Swedish Home Guard

People

• Bengt Nordenskiöld
• Lars Olausson

Further reading

• Annerfalk, Anders. Flygvapnet: An Illustrated History of the Swedish Air Force (Ljungsbro: Aviatic Förlag, 1999).
• Åselius, Gunnar. "Swedish strategic culture after 1945." Cooperation and Conflict 40.1 (2005): 25–44.
• Böhme, Klaus-Richard. The Growth of the Swedish Aircraft Industry: 1918-1945: the Swedish Air Force and Aircraft Industry (Sunflower University Press, 1988).
• Green, William and Gordon Swanborough. "The End of the Beginning...The Seversky P-35". Air Enthusiast, No. 10, July–September 1979, pp. 8–21. {{#if:0143-5450|Template:Catalog lookup link{{#if:Template:Trim|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no|yes|Template:Main other|{{#invoke:check isxn|check_issn|Template:Trim|error=Template:Error-smallTemplate:Main other}}}}{{#if:Template:Trim|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no|yes|Template:Main other|{{#invoke:check isxn|check_issn|Template:Trim|error=Template:Error-smallTemplate:Main other}}}}{{#if:Template:Trim|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no|yes|Template:Main other|{{#invoke:check isxn|check_issn|Template:Trim|error=Template:Error-smallTemplate:Main other}}}}{{#if:Template:Trim|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no|yes|Template:Main other|{{#invoke:check isxn|check_issn|Template:Trim|error=Template:Error-smallTemplate:Main other}}}}{{#if:Template:Trim|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no|yes|Template:Main other|{{#invoke:check isxn|check_issn|Template:Trim|error=Template:Error-smallTemplate:Main other}}}}{{#if:Template:Trim|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no|yes|Template:Main other|{{#invoke:check isxn|check_issn|Template:Trim|error=Template:Error-smallTemplate:Main other}}}}{{#if:Template:Trim|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no|yes|Template:Main other|{{#invoke:check isxn|check_issn|Template:Trim|error=Template:Error-smallTemplate:Main other}}}}{{#if:Template:Trim|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no|yes|Template:Main other|{{#invoke:check isxn|check_issn|Template:Trim|error=Template:Error-smallTemplate:Main other}}}}{{#if:Template:Trim|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no|yes|Template:Main other|{{#invoke:check isxn|check_issn|Template:Trim|error=Template:Error-smallTemplate:Main other}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}|Template:Error-small}}
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• Silvester, John. "Call to Arms: The Percival Sea Prince and Pembroke". Air Enthusiast, No. 55, Autumn 1994, pp. 56–61. {{#if:0143-5450|Template:Catalog lookup link{{#if:Template:Trim|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no|yes|Template:Main other|{{#invoke:check isxn|check_issn|Template:Trim|error=Template:Error-smallTemplate:Main other}}}}{{#if:Template:Trim|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no|yes|Template:Main other|{{#invoke:check isxn|check_issn|Template:Trim|error=Template:Error-smallTemplate:Main other}}}}{{#if:Template:Trim|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no|yes|Template:Main other|{{#invoke:check isxn|check_issn|Template:Trim|error=Template:Error-smallTemplate:Main other}}}}{{#if:Template:Trim|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no|yes|Template:Main other|{{#invoke:check isxn|check_issn|Template:Trim|error=Template:Error-smallTemplate:Main other}}}}{{#if:Template:Trim|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no|yes|Template:Main other|{{#invoke:check isxn|check_issn|Template:Trim|error=Template:Error-smallTemplate:Main other}}}}{{#if:Template:Trim|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no|yes|Template:Main other|{{#invoke:check isxn|check_issn|Template:Trim|error=Template:Error-smallTemplate:Main other}}}}{{#if:Template:Trim|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no|yes|Template:Main other|{{#invoke:check isxn|check_issn|Template:Trim|error=Template:Error-smallTemplate:Main other}}}}{{#if:Template:Trim|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no|yes|Template:Main other|{{#invoke:check isxn|check_issn|Template:Trim|error=Template:Error-smallTemplate:Main other}}}}{{#if:Template:Trim|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no|yes|Template:Main other|{{#invoke:check isxn|check_issn|Template:Trim|error=Template:Error-smallTemplate:Main other}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}|Template:Error-small}}
• Weibull, Alise. "The Swedish Armed Forces: Recent Developments and Future Strategy." in Giuseppe Caforio, ed., Cultural Differences between the Military and Parent Society in Democratic Countries (Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2007) pp. 307–312.

External links

• Swedish Air Force – Official site
• Swedish Air Force Historical Flight, SwAFHF
• History of the Swedish Air Force Template:In lang
• Information on Swedish military aviation
• Sunneberg – Information on Swedish aircraft Template:In lang