Swedish Air Force
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| Swedish Air Force | |
|---|---|
| Unit name | Swedish Air Force |
| Native name | Flygvapnet |
| Start date | 1 July 1926 |
| Country | Sweden |
| Branch | Swedish Armed Forces |
| Type | Air force |
| Role | Aerial warfare |
| Size | 2,700 active personnel |
| Command structure | Swedish Armed Forces Headquarters |
| Garrison | Uppsala |
| Garrison label | Headquarters |
| Motto | För Sverige – i tiden, ("For Sweden – With the Times") |
| Anniversaries | 1 July |
| Commander1 | Jonas Wikman |
| Commander1 label | Supreme Commander |
| Commander2 | Carl-Johan Edström |
| Commander2 label | Chief of Air Force |
| Identification symbol | 80px |
| Identification symbol label | Roundel |
| Aircraft attack | JAS 39 Gripen |
| Aircraft electronic | Gulfstream IV, Saab 340 |
| Aircraft fighter | JAS 39 Gripen |
| Aircraft recon | Gulfstream IV, MQ-9 Reaper |
| Aircraft trainer | SK 60, JAS 39 Gripen |
| Aircraft transport | C-130 Hercules, Gulfstream IV, Saab 340 |
Swedish Air Force. The Swedish Air Force, known as Flygvapnet, is the aerial warfare branch of the Swedish Armed Forces. Founded on 1 July 1926, it has a storied history of maintaining a policy of armed neutrality and developing advanced indigenous aircraft. Its primary mission is to secure Swedish airspace and support national and international operations, with its main operational base located at Uppsala.
History
The origins of Swedish military aviation trace back to 1912 with the establishment of the Royal Swedish Army Aviation Corps and the Royal Swedish Navy Aviation. These were merged to form an independent service in 1926. During World War II, despite Sweden's official neutrality, the service was heavily expanded and saw combat, notably during the Winter War where volunteers fought for Finland. The Cold War era was defined by a massive build-up, a doctrine of centralized air defense under STRIL 60, and the development of iconic fighters like the Saab 29 Tunnan, Saab 35 Draken, and Saab 37 Viggen to deter potential aggressors. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the force underwent significant restructuring, shifting from territorial defense to expeditionary capabilities, participating in NATO-led operations over Libya and in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan.
Organization
The operational command is held by the Chief of Air Force, currently Carl-Johan Edström, under the Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces. The main operational unit is the Air Force Tactical Command (Flygtaktiska kommandot). Combat power is organized into wings (flygflottiljer), which are historically significant and now function as base units. Key operational wings include F 17 Kallinge in Ronneby and F 21 Luleå in Luleå. The Helicopter Wing (Helikopterflottiljen) at Malmen in Linköping provides rotary-wing support for all branches of the Swedish Armed Forces.
Aircraft
The backbone of the fleet is the indigenously developed multirole fighter, the JAS 39 Gripen, in its C/D and newer E/F variants. The air transport and aerial refueling role is fulfilled by a fleet of C-130 Hercules aircraft. Special missions, including electronic warfare and signals intelligence, are conducted using modified Gulfstream IV and Saab 340 aircraft. The MQ-9 Reaper is operated for unmanned reconnaissance. Training is conducted on the venerable SK 60 jet trainer and two-seat versions of the JAS 39 Gripen. The AW109 and NHIndustries NH90 serve as primary utility and transport helicopters.
Bases
Major air bases are strategically located across the country. F 7 Såtenäs is home to the C-130 Hercules transport fleet. F 17 Kallinge in Blekinge County and F 21 Luleå in Norrbotten County are key fighter bases. The main training establishment for pilots is located at F 5 Ljungbyhed in Scania. Historically significant bases like F 10 Ängelholm and F 13 Norrköping have been decommissioned or repurposed following post-Cold War reorganizations. The headquarters is situated at the Uppsala Garrison.
Insignia and markings
The national roundel, adopted in the 1920s, consists of three yellow crowns on a blue circular field, often surrounded by a yellow ring. Aircraft typically display a low-visibility version in grey tones. The service flag features a Swedish swallowtail flag with the national roundel and three yellow crowns in the canton. Squadron markings and tail codes are applied, with historical units like Johan Röd and Urban Röd having distinctive colors. The Finnish Air Force and Royal Norwegian Air Force share similar Nordic cross fin flashes.
Future developments
The ongoing modernization centers on the full integration of the more advanced JAS 39 Gripen E into squadron service. A major future project is the acquisition of a new airborne early warning and control platform to replace the aging Saab 340 Erieye fleet. Sweden's accession to NATO is driving deeper integration with allied air forces, including participation in exercises like Arctic Challenge Exercise and planning for joint air policing duties in the Baltic states. Studies are underway for a future fighter system, with potential collaboration on projects like the Global Combat Air Programme or the acquisition of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II.
Category:Military of Sweden Sweden Category:1926 establishments in Sweden