Military equipment of Sweden during the Cold War
Sweden played a role of major importance during the Cold War, despite not officially participating. Sweden's location made it an ideal base of operations for both the Soviet Union and the United States. Sweden was never invaded throughout the war, mainly due to their strong defensive power - ranked among the top five in the world at this time.
Army
Small arms
Name | Origin | Type | Versions | Quantity | Years in service | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pistol m/40 | Finland/ Sweden | Semi-automatic pistol | Pistol m/40 Pistol m/40B | 100,000 | 1940-1990s | License-built Lahti L-35, manufactured by Husqvarna |
Pistol 88 | Austria/ Sweden | Semi-automatic pistol | Glock 17 (pist 88) Glock 19 (pist 88B) | Unknown | 1980s-present | Modern standard-issue sidearm |
Kpist m/37 | Finland/ Sweden | Submachine gun | Kpist m/37 | 35,000 | 1939-1980s | - |
M39 | Germany/ Sweden | Submachine gun | M39 | Unknown | 1940s-???? | - |
MP 18 | German Empire | Submachine gun | MP 18 | Unknown | 1920s-???? | - |
Kpist m/45 | Sweden | Submachine gun | M/45 M/45B M/45C M/45BE M/45BET M/45S | Unknown | 1945–2007 | Standard version Minor improvements Comes equipped with a bayonet mount Selective-fire version, used by police Comes equipped with a tear gas launcher Uses a 50-round coffin magazine |
Gevär m/96 | Sweden | Bolt-action rifle | M/1894 M/1896 M/1938 M/1941 M/1941B | 127,000 535,000 88,000 5,300 5,300 | 1895-1980s | - |
Karbin M40 | Germany/ Sweden | Bolt-action rifle | Kar 98k | 5,000 | 1939-1970s | - |
Ag m/42 | Sweden | Semi-automatic rifle | Ag m/42A Ag m/42B | Unknown | 1942–1965 | - |
Ak 4 | Germany/ Sweden | Battle rifle | AK4 AK4B AK4OR | Unknown | 1965–present | Standard version Equipped with Aimpoint red dot sight Equipped with 4×24 telescopic sight |
Ak 5 | Sweden | Assault rifle Designated marksman rifle Assault rifle Assault rifle Carbine Police combat rifle | FFV Ak 5 FFV Ak 5B Bofors Ak 5C Bofors Ak 5CF Bofors Ak 5D CGA5P | Unknown Unknown Unknown 40,000 Unknown Unknown | 1986–present | Modern standard-issue assault rifle 4× tritium sight Multiple modifications by Bofors Multiple modifications by Bofors Lightweight carbine version Semi-automatic version with improved accuracy |
Kg m/37 | United States | Light machine gun | KG m/40 | Unknown | 1937–1980 | - |
Kg m/40 | Sweden | Light machine gun | KG m/40 | 5,000 | 1940-???? | - |
Kulspruta m/41 | Sweden | Medium machine gun | Kulspruta m/41 | Unknown | 1910s-1940s | - |
Ksp 58 | Belgium/ Sweden | General-purpose machine gun | Ksp 58 Ksp 58B Ksp 58 Strv | Unknown | 1958–present 1972–present 1958-1990s | Standard version Improved caliber to 7.62×51mm Equipped for the Strv 103 |
Ksp 90 | Belgium/ Sweden | Light machine gun | Ksp 90 Ksp 90B | Unknown | 1980s-present | - |
Ksp 95 | Soviet Union/ Sweden | Squad automatic weapon | Ksp 95 | Unknown | 1960s-present | - |
Ksp m/39 | United States/ Sweden | Medium machine gun | Ksp m/39 | Unknown | 1940s-present | - |
Ksp m/94 | Germany | General-purpose machine gun | Ksp m/94 | Unknown | 1960s-present | - |
Tksp 12,7 mm | United States | Heavy machine gun | Tksp 12,7 mm | Unknown | 1940s-present | - |
Grsp 40 mm | United States | Automatic grenade launcher | Grsp 40 mm | Unknown | 1970s-present | - |
M203 | United States | Grenade launcher | M203 | Unknown | 1970s-present | - |
Grg m/48 | Sweden | Multirole recoilless rifle | Grg m/48 | Unknown | 1948–present | Then standard-issue rocket launcher/anti-tank weapon |
Raketgevär 46 | United States/ Sweden | Recoilless anti-tank weapon | Raketgevär 46 | Unknown | 1940s-1960s | - |
Pskott m/68 | Sweden | Recoilless anti-tank weapon | Pskott m/68 | Unknown | 1968-1980s | - |
RBS 69 | United States/ Sweden | Man-portable air-defense system | RBS 69 | Unknown | 1968-1990s | - |
RBS 70 | Sweden | Man-portable air-defense system | RBS 70 | Unknown | 1977–present | - |
Armored fighting vehicles
The Swedish army during the Cold War possessed more or less 24,000 ground vehicles, including 2,354 tanks, 1,257 armored fighting vehicles, and up to 20,000 utility vehicles.
Vehicle | Origin | Type | Versions | Quantity | Years in service | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pltgb 903 | Sweden | 4×4 infantry truck 4×4 infantry truck 4×4 communications vehicle 4×4 anti-tank vehicle ATGM carrier Firefighting vehicle | Pltgb 903 Pltgb 903B Raptgb 9033 Pvpjtgb 9031 Pvrbtgb 9032 Brtgb 921 | Thousands | 1959-1977 | - - - Equipped with the Pvpj 1110 90mm recoilless gun Equipped with the Robot 53 ATGM - |
Terrängbil 11 | Sweden | 4×4 infantry truck 4×4 anti-tank vehicle 6×6 communications vehicle 6×6 infantry truck 6×6 communications vehicle 6×6 ambulance 6×6 artillery spotter 6×6 armored personnel carrier MANPADS carrier | Tgb 11 Tgb 1111 Tgb 1112 Tgb 13 Tgb 1313 Tgb 1314 Tgb 1321 Tgb 21 Tgb 22 | Roughly 6,500 | 1967–present | - Equipped with the Pvpj 1110 90mm recoilless gun - - - - - - Equipped with the RBS 70 |
Bv 202 | Sweden | Tracked all-terrain vehicle | 5,000 | 1964–present | - | |
Bv 206 | Sweden | All-terrain carrier Military ambulance Military firefighting apparatus Improved intelligence vehicle Mobile military radio transmitter | Bv 206 Bv 206A Bv 206F Bv 2064 Bv2068 | 4,500 | 1980-present | - |
Pbil m/39 | Sweden | Armoured car | Pbil m/39 Pbil m/40 | 15 30 | 1939-1956 1939-1960s | Standard version Powered by a Volvo engine |
Pbil m/41 | Sweden | Armoured car | L-180 | 5 | 1933–1980 | - |
Tgbil m/42 KP | Sweden | Armored personnel carrier | SKP VKP | 262 100 | 1944–2004 | Manufactured by Scania-Vabis Manufactured by Volvo |
Pbv 301 | Sweden | Armored personnel carrier | 185 | 1961–1971 | - | |
Pbv 302 | Sweden | Armored personnel carrier | 400+ | 1965–present | - | |
Patria Pasi | Finland | Armored personnel carrier Command vehicle Armored personnel carrier | XA-180S XA-202S XA-203S | 200 | 1980s–present | - - Armed with a 20mm auto cannon |
Ikv 91 | Sweden | Infantry support vehicle | Ikv 91 Ikv 105 | 212 | 1975–2002 | - Prototype with a 105mm anti-tank gun |
Strv m/37 | Czechoslovakia/ Sweden | Tankette | Strv m/37 | 48 | 1938–1953 | License-built version of the AH-IV |
Strv L-60 | Sweden | Light tank | Strv m/38 Strv m/39 Strv m/40 Strv m/40L Strv m/40K | 15 20 ? 100 80 | 1939-???? 1940-???? ????-???? 1941-???? 1944-???? | - |
Strv m/41 | Czechoslovakia/ Sweden | Medium tank | Strv m/41 | 238 | 1942-1950s | License-built, slightly upgraded version of the Panzer 38(t) |
Strv m/42 | Sweden | Medium tank | Lago I (Strv m/42) Lago II (Strv m/42 TM) Lago III (Strv m/42 TH) Lago IV (Strv m/42 EH) | 342 total | 1943-???? 1943-???? 1944-???? 1944-???? | Standard version Two engines and electromagnetic gearbox Two engines and two hydraulic gearboxes One engine and a hydraulic gearbox |
Strv 74 | Sweden | Medium tank | Strv 74 H Strv 74 V | 659 | 1958-1984 | - |
Centurion tank | United Kingdom | Main battle tank | Strv 81 Strv 101 Strv 101R Strv 102 Strv 102R Strv 104 | 350 total | 1953-1992 | |
Strv 103 | Sweden | Main battle tank | Strv 103A Strv 103B Strv 103C Strv 103D | 290 | 1967-1997 1970s-1997 1986-1997 1990s | Standard version Enhanced engine Enhanced engine and laser rangefinder Modernized prototype, only 1 built |
Artillery and mortars
Name | Origin | Type | Versions | Quantity | Years in service | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
M/41D | Sweden | Heavy mortar | 219 | 1941–present | 120mm caliber mortar | |
Haubits FH77 | Sweden | Towed howitzer | FH77 A FH77 B | 220 | 1978-2006 | |
PvBv 2062 | Sweden | Mobile anti-tank gun | Unknown | 1980s-present | Equipped with Pvpj 1110 90mm recoilless gun | |
PvBv 2063 | Sweden | ATGM carrier | Unknown | 1980s-present | Equipped with Rbs 55 or Rbs 56 | |
Bkan 1 | Sweden | Self-propelled artillery | Bkan 1A Bkan 1C | 26 | 1967-2003 | - |
Bofors 40 mm | Sweden | Anti-aircraft autocannon | Bofors L/60 Bofors L/70 | Unknown | 1934–present | - |
MIM-23 Hawk | United States | Surface-to-air missile | RBS 77 RBS 97 | 8 launchers | 1960s-present | Unknown number of missiles, at least 24 |
Lvrbv 701 | Sweden | MANPADS carrier | 49 | 1980s-2000 | Equipped with RBS 70[1] | |
Navy
The Swedish navy possessed a total of 129 ships between 1945 and 1991.
Seaplane cruisers
Ship | Origin | Type | Names | Quantity | Years in service | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gotland class | Sweden | Seaplane cruiser | HSwMS Gotland | 1 | 1933-1963 | Could carry 8 aircraft |
Dristigheten class | Sweden | Seaplane cruiser | HSwMS Dristigheten | 1 | 1901-1947 | Could carry 2 aircraft |
Cruisers
Sweden possessed four cruisers throughout the Cold War.
Ship | Origin | Type | Names | Quantity | Years in service | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Clas Fleming class | Sweden | Mine cruiser | HSwMS Clas Fleming | 1 | 1912-1960 | - |
Fylgia class | Sweden | Armored cruiser | HSwMS Fylgia | 1 | 1907-1957 | - |
Tre Kronor class | Sweden | Cruiser | HSwMS Tre Kronor HSwMS Göta Lejon | 2 | 1944-1964 1945-1971 | - |
Destroyers
Sweden had a total of 35 destroyer-class vessels throughout the Cold War, most of them World War II models. As time went on, Sweden begun to put less effort in keeping large surface combatants and instead increasingly relied on patrol boats, fast attack craft, coastal artillery and air superiority. However this approach (especially the overreliance on lighter surface combatants) was somewhat discredited by the early 1980s. Attempts were then made to move back towards heavier more capable surface combatants (e.g. the Ytstridsfartyg Större [Surface Combatant Large] program), but this was ultimately curtailed by the sudden end to the Cold War.[lower-alpha 1]
Destroyers in 1945: 28
Destroyers in 1950: 21
Destroyers in 1960: 24
Destroyers in 1970: 17
Destroyers in 1980: 13
Destroyers in 1991: 0
Ship | Origin | Type | Names | Quantity | Years in service | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ehrensköld class | Sweden | Destroyer | HSwMS Ehrensköld HSwMS Nordenskjöld | 2 | 1927-1963 | - |
Göteborg class | Sweden | Destroyer | HSwMS Göteborg HSwMS Stockholm HSwMS Malmö HSwMS Karlskrona HSwMS Norrköping HSwMS Gävle | 6 | 1936-1962 1937-1965 1939-1970 1940-1979 1941-1965 1941-1968 | - |
Halland class | Sweden | Destroyer | HSwMS Halland HSwMS Småland | 2 | 1955-1985 1956-1979 | - |
Hugin class | Sweden | Destroyer | HSwMS Hugin HSwMS Munin | 2 | 1911-1947 1911-1946 | - |
Klas class | Sweden | Destroyer | HSwMS Klas Horn | 1 | 1932-1958 | - |
Mode class | Sweden | Destroyer | HSwMS Magne HSwMS Mode HSwMS Munin HSwMS Mjölner | 4 | 1942-1966 1942-1970 1942-1968 1942-1966 | All converted to frigates in 1953/1957 |
Romulus class | Italy/ Sweden | Destroyer | HSwMS Romulus HSwMS Remus | 2 | 1934-1958 1934-1958 | - |
Psilander class | Italy/ Sweden | Destroyer | HSwMS Psilander HSwMS Puke | 2 | 1926-1947 1926-1947 | - |
Vidar class | Sweden | Destroyer | HSwMS Ragnar HSwMS Sigurd HSwMS Vidar | 3 | 1910-1947 | - |
Visby class | Sweden | Destroyer | HSwMS Hälsingborg HSwMS Kalmar HSwMS Sundsvall HSwMS Visby | 4 | 1942-1982 | - |
Wrangel class | Sweden | Destroyer | HSwMS Wrangel HSwMS Wachtmeister | 2 | 1918-1947 | - |
Öland class | Sweden | Destroyer | HSwMS Uppland HSwMS Öland | 2 | 1947-1979 | - |
Östergötland class | Sweden | Destroyer | HSwMS Gästrikland HSwMS Hälsingland HSwMS Södermanland HSwMS Östergötland | 4 | 1955-1982 | - |
Coastal defense ships
The Swedish navy maintained 7 coastal defense ships after World War II, though some were taken out of service shortly after.
- Oscar II-class coastal defense ship (1)
- HSwMS Oscar II (1905-1950)
- Sverige-class coastal defence ship (3)
- HSwMS Drottning Victoria (1921-1957)
- HSwMS Gustav V (1922-1957)
- HSwMS Sverige (1915-1953)
- 'Äran-class coastal defence ship (3)
- HSwMS Manligheten (1904-1950)
- HSwMS Tapperheten (1903-1947)
- HSwMS Äran (1902-1947)
Corvettes
The Swedish navy had as few as six corvettes in service during the Cold War, relying on larger vessels during this time.
- Göteborg-class corvette (4)
- HSwMS Gävle (1990–present)
- HSwMS Göteborg (1990–present)
- HSwMS Kalmar (1990–present)
- HSwMS Sundsvall (1991–present)
- Stockholm-class corvette (2)
- HSwMS Malmö (1985–present)
- HSwMS Stockholm (1984–present)
Mine warfare vessels
Sweden possessed 19 mine warfare vessels throughout the time period 1945-1991.
- HSwMS Alnösund minelayer
- HSwMS Arkösund minelayer
- HSwMS Barösund minelayer
- HSwMS Grundsund minelayer
- HSwMS Furusund minelayer
- HSwMS Fårösund minelayer
- HSwMS Kalmarsund minelayer
- HSwMS Kalvsund minelayer
- HSwMS Skramsösund minelayer
- HSwMS Älvsborg minelayer
- HSwMS Älvsnabben minelayer
- HSwMS Öresund minelayer
- Landsort-class mine countermeasures vessel (7)
- HSwMS Arholma (1984-2010)
- HSwMS Koster (1986–present)
- HSwMSKullen (1986–present)
- HSwMS Landsort (1982–present)
- HSwMS Ulvön (1980s-present)
- HSwMS Ven (1980s-present)
- HSwMS Vinga (1980s-present)
Patrol boats
Seventeen patrol boats were in service in the Royal Swedish Navy between 1945 and 1991.
- HSwMS Hugin
- HSwMS Jägaren
- HSwMS Kaparen
- HSwMS Magne
- HSwMS Mjölner
- HSwMS Mode
- HSwMS Munin
- HSwMS Mysing
- HSwMS Snapphanen
- HSwMS Spejaren
- HSwMS Starkodder
- HSwMS Styrbjörn
- HSwMS Tirfing
- HSwMS Tordön
- HSwMS Vale
- HSwMS Vidar
- HSwMS Väktaren
Torpedo boats
Sweden had 12 torpedo boats during the Cold War.
- Perseus-class torpedo boat (1)
- HSwMS Perseus
- Plejad-class torpedo boat (11)
- HSwMS Alderbaran
- HSwMS Altair
- HSwMS Antares
- HSwMS Arcturus
- HSwMS Argo
- HSwMS Astrea
- HSwMS Plejad
- HSwMS Polaris
- HSwMS Pollux
- HSwMS Regulus
- HSwMS Rigel
Submarines
Sweden had a total of 26 submarines throughout the Cold War.
- Draken-class submarine (5)
- Hajen-class submarine (6)
- HSwMS Bävern
- HSwMS Hajen
- HSwMS Illern
- HSwMS Sälen
- HSwMS Uttern
- HSwMS Valen
- Neptun-class submarine (3)
- Näcken-class submarine (3)
- HSwMS Najad
- HSwMS Neptun
- HSwMS Näcken
- Sjöormen-class submarine (5)
- HSwMS Sjöbjörnen
- HSwMS Sjöhunden
- HSwMS Sjöhästen
- HSwMS Sjölejonet
- HSwMS Sjöormen
- Västergötland-class submarine (4)
- HSwMS Helsingland
- HSwMS Södermanland
- HSwMS Västergötland
- HSwMS Östergötland
Auxiliary vessels
- HSwMS Arkösund minelayer
- HSwMS Belos submarine salvage vessel
- HSwMS Carlskrona minelayer
- HSwMS Trossö ice-strengthened patrol craft
- HSwMS Visborg command/auxiliary ship
- Landing Craft L-50 mechanized landing craft (5)
Air force
Sweden had a huge air force - the fourth largest in the world - throughout the Cold War, consisting of more than 4,000 aircraft. Out of these, no less than 3,574 aircraft were armed fighters along with many hundred bombers.
Fighter aircraft
Name | Origin | Type | Versions | Quantity | In service | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
J 9 | United States/ Sweden | Fighter aircraft | J 9 | 60 | 1940–1951 | Sweden's first monoplane aircraft |
J 11 | Italy/ Sweden | Biplane fighter aircraft | J 11 | 72 | 1940–1946 | - |
J 21 | Sweden | Fighter aircraft Fighter aircraft Attack aircraft Experimental aircraft | J 21A-1 J 21A-2 J21A-3 J 21B | 54 124 132 0 | 1945–1949 1946-1954 1947-1954 1940s | - |
J 21R | Sweden | Fighter and attack aircraft | J 21R | 64 | 1945–1956 | Sweden's first indigenous jet fighter |
J 22 | Sweden | Fighter aircraft | J 22A J 22B | 143 55 | 1942–1952 | Numbers may not be correct for the World War II era; some may have been built in 1946 |
J 26 | United States | Fighter aircraft | P-51B P-51D | 2 52 | 1945–1954 | Originally P-51 Mustang, another 111 aircraft purchased immediately after the war |
J 28 | United Kingdom | Fighter aircraft | J 28A J 28B J 28C | 70 310 57 | 1946-1956 | 1st generation jet fighter; 437 total |
J 29 | Sweden | Experimental aircraft Fighter aircraft Fighter aircraft Attack aircraft Reconnaissance aircraft Experimental aircraft Fighter aircraft Fighter aircraft | J 29 J 29A J 29B A 29B S 29C J 29D J 29D J 29F | 4 224 332 ? 76 1 29 308 | 1949-1976 | 1st generation jet fighter; 666+ total |
S 31 | United Kingdom | Fighter and reconnaissance aircraft | S 31 | 50 | 1946-1950s | - |
J 32 | Sweden | Attack aircraft All-weather fighter Maritime reconnaissance aircraft Target tug aircraft ECM aircraft Fighter aircraft Fighter aircraft | A 32A J 32B S 32C J 32D J 32E J 32AD J 32U | 287 120 45 6 14 0 0 | 1956-1997 | 2nd generation jet fighter; 452 built |
J 34 | United Kingdom | Fighter and attack aircraft | J 34 | 120 | 1946-1956 | 2nd generation jet fighter |
J 35 | Sweden | Fighter aircraft Fighter aircraft Trainer aircraft Fighter aircraft Reconnaissance aircraft Fighter aircraft Fighter aircraft | J 35A J 35B SK 35C J 35D S 35E J 35F J 35J | 90 73 25 120 60 230 66 | 1955-1974 | 2.5 generation jet fighter; 651 built |
J 37 | Sweden | Multirole aircraft | AJ 37 SK 37 SF 37 SH 37 JA 37 AJS JA 37C JA 37D JA 37DI SK 37E | 329 total | 1971-2005 | 3rd generation jet fighter |
Bomber aircraft
Trainers
- Saab 105 trainer aircraft - 80
Transport aircraft
- Lockheed C-130 - 8
Helicopters
- Piasecki Hkp 1 transport helicopter - 14
- Bell Hkp 3 utility helicopter - 29
- Boeing-Vertol Hkp 4 transport helicopter - 21
- Eurocopter Hkp 10 utility helicopter - 12
See also
- List of military equipment of Sweden
- Military equipment of Sweden during World War II
- Military on Gotland
Notes
- ↑ Though the 'Större' program was then merged with the Ytstridsfartyg Mindre [Surface Combatant Small] program to form the YS2000 (Surface Combatant 2000) program that would later result in the Visby-class corvette.
References
Sources and further reading
- http://www.bismarck-class.dk/other_craft_involved/swedish_ship_involved/swedish_ship_involved.html
- http://www.f10kamratforening.se/Kamrat/Word/?page_id=407
- http://www.globalaircraft.org/planes/saab_37_viggen.pl
- http://www.militaryfactory.com/armor/detail.asp?armor_id=104
- http://www.sfhm.se/templates/pages/FlygStandardPage____1807.aspx?epslanguage=EN
- http://www.sphf.se/Axvall/74.htm
See article links for further information on specific equipment