The Nordic countries are facing new threats and must equip and collaborate.
This considers former commander -in -chief Micael Bydén and Norway’s defense manager Eirik Kristoffersen.
– We need to build a stronger defense force. We need to build it fast because the world situation looks like it does, says Micael Bydén in the podcast “Go on, Marsh!”
The Nordic region is facing a new security situation and must quickly build a stronger defense, says Sweden’s former commander Micael Bydén.
Photo: Johan Nilsson / TT / TT News Agency
The security situation in the Nordic countries has never been more pressured. They both agree: The Nordic countries must equip – and collaborate – to meet a new reality.
In the pod “Go on, march!” Discusses Sweden’s former commander Micael Bydén and Norway’s defense manager Eirik Kristoffersen the changed security situation in the Nordic countries. The focus is on how the two countries’ defense forces work together within NATO.
Micael Bydén emphasizes that the Armed Forces must be strengthened to deter from military attacks – not because the war is around the corner.
Can end up with drones
In recent months’ incidents with drones over Poland, Estonia and Denmark, the light has set on new forms of warfare. Norwegian Armed Forces Chief Kristoffersen points out that development is fast, especially in Ukraine.
-If we have not done a proper job with what we call unmanned platforms within a three to four years, we are behind, he says and warns that NATO must agree on common standards for drone defense, he says in the pod.
Both agree that close cooperation with the industry is required to meet the threats – and that it is not enough to put drones in stock.
– The most important thing is to have production capacity over time and not to put in stock, but to be able to constantly produce in large volumes at short notice, says Bydén.
NATO membership
The entries have changed the playing field in the Nordic countries. Kristoffersen believes that it is a strength for the entire region:
– Sweden and Finland bring net security into NATO. It is not that NATO must use special resources in strengthening Sweden and Finland, because you are so strong already.
But membership also entails new requirements – not least in digital collaboration and communication.
-If it is a council in general to the Swedish defense, I would like to say not to underestimate the need for investment in digital, in connection, in NATO-safe communication, says Kristoffersen.
Security has been significantly strengthened since Sweden and Finland became NATO members, according to Norwegian Defense Manager Eirik Kristoffersen.
Photo: Lise Aserud / EPA TT News Agency
Cooperation across borders
Both Bydén and Kristoffersen emphasize the importance of the Nordic region now building a joint defense, where logistics and total defense extend across national borders. The supply to Northern Norway goes through Sweden – and the challenges of the future require that the entire community engages, they say.
– It is we who are involved, Micael, and so do our people, too, at all levels. Work across the land border, says Kristoffersen in the podcast.
