The Swedish Air Force Has Stated That It Will Strike Deep Into Russia In The Event Of An Attack

Stockholm has revised its strategy.

In the event of a Russian attack, Sweden will no longer limit itself to defense alone, said Colonel Carl Bergqvist, head of the Royal Swedish Air Force’s Air Warfare Center. According to his remarks, as reported by Aftonbladet, the new concept calls for a shift toward offensive operations and striking targets deep within enemy territory. “An attack must come at a high cost,” Bergqvist said. However, this does not refer to preemptive strikes, but rather to deterrence. As the colonel noted, a potential aggressor must understand that the war will not be confined to Swedish territory.

One of the factors behind the revision of the Swedish Air Force’s strategy was Ukraine’s experience in the war with Russia, which demonstrates that the enemy must not be allowed to gain air superiority. In light of this, it was decided to add the capability to “punish” the aggressor on its own territory to the already established model of rapid redeployment and dispersal of air assets. It is noted that deep strikes against logistics, command centers, and air bases could derail or slow down a Russian operation at an early stage—which is precisely what Ukraine lacked in 2022.

One of the key elements of the new strategy should be the integration of Taurus KEPD 350 cruise missiles onto JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets. These missiles have a range of over 500 km, can fly at altitudes of up to 50 m, and are capable of penetrating fortified targets. In addition, the Swedish Armed Forces plan to acquire systems with even greater range. Documents submitted to the government requested cruise and ballistic missiles capable of striking targets at a distance of up to 2,000 km. The distance from Stockholm to Moscow is approximately 1,200 km.

The Air Force’s new concept also calls for using highways as runways, strengthening air defense, countering drones, and developing reconnaissance capabilities, including through the use of drones and satellites.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Sweden reassessed its security threats and joined NATO in 2024. This move changed its role in the region: from a country that had maintained neutrality for over 200 years, it became part of the Alliance’s northern flank defense structure alongside Finland, Norway, and the Baltic states.

Earlier, Swedish intelligence warned that within the next few years, Russia could carry out limited military operations in the region. One of the kingdom’s advantages is its geographic location. Its proximity to the Baltic region allows for a faster response to threats, and the ability to deploy Gripen fighters from dispersed positions enhances the resilience of its air force and creates additional challenges for the enemy.

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