Sweden adopts new air force strategy for deep-strike capabilities

The Swedish Armed Forces have adopted a new air combat concept designed to transition from defensive operations to offensive deep-strike capabilities in the event of a Russian attack. According to Colonel Carl Bergqvist, head of the Swedish Air Force’s Air Operations Centre, the strategy aims to deny an adversary the assumption that Swedish military responses will be confined to defending domestic territory.

A central component of this posture involves the JAS 39 Gripen multirole fighter equipped with Taurus KEPD 350 cruise missiles, which have a range of up to 500 kilometres and are capable of destroying heavily protected ground targets. There are also reports that Sweden could acquire missiles with ranges reaching up to 2,000 kilometres, which would allow for strikes deep inside Russian territory, given that the distance between Stockholm and Moscow is approximately 1,200 kilometres.

To ensure survivability during an opening assault, the Swedish Air Force plans to disperse combat aircraft and utilize roads for fighter jet take-offs and landings. Additionally, Sweden intends to bolster its air defense and reconnaissance capabilities through the use of satellites and unmanned aerial vehicles.