Post-cold War
During the 1990s, the armed forces budget was cut and several regiments were closed down. Several regiment towns have protested against downsizing, and government has tried to prevent rising unemployment by relocating state agencies to these towns.
The number of enlisted recruits has decreased. The recruits are encouraged to sign up for additional service after their mandatory training is over. The units formed by those who chose to continue their service can be used as rapid respone units in international missions, and are also targets of recruiting to the Nordic Battle Group.
Since the ending of the cold war, and despite a continuing position of neutrality, Sweden has been slowly playing an increased role in international operations, including NATO operations in Kosovo (KFOR) and Afghanistan (the International Security Assistance Force).
As of 2007-02-11, Swedish soldiers are present in the following countries
- Liberia
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Sudan
- Ethiopia
- Eritrea
- Lebanon
- Bosnia
- Kosovo
- Afghanistan
- Kashmir (border between India and Pakistan)
- Korea
Sweden has registered about 15 units in the rapid respone unit catalogs of the EU, UN, or NATO. Sweden takes an active part in international exercises such as the Multi National Experiment run by the USJFCOM.
Sweden is the framework nation for the Nordic Battle Group, one of the European Union Battlegroups that will be active during the first half of 2008. It is expected that this will be repeated again in 2011.
Read more about this topic: Military History Of Sweden
Famous quotes containing the word war:
“You say it is the good cause that hallows even war? I say unto you: it is the good war that hallows any cause.”
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)