Sweden’s air force celebrates “new era”; places first patriot missiles of the American manufacturer
The Armed Forces described it as the “new era” on Thursday 18 November that they had received major reinforcements and become the most modern in the Nordic region. The Armed Forces said in one statement, ”On Thursday, November 18, a new era began for the Swedish Air Force. It was the day when the advanced, American robot system Patriot was introduced as part of increasing the Swedish defense capability. A system that will now be called air defense system 103 (LvS103) in the Armed Forces. ”
According to a report from Sputnik, the Patriot air defense deal of $ 1.35 billion is the most expensive in the history of the Swedish Armed Forces and further strengthens the countries’ ties with the United States. The system was reportedly chosen for its alleged ability to ground Russian Iskander missiles. The Swedish Armed Forces said in a statement that the patriot missiles manufactured by the American manufacturer Lockheed Martin were handed over to Halmstad’s air defense regiment during a ceremony accompanied by fanfare and fluttering Swedish and American flags.
Thursday’s handover meant that the Air Defense Regiment now has three shutters for two different types of robots, a command post, a combined reconnaissance and fire control radar, a power plant, a repair unit and associated traction vehicles. This maiden unit with fully equipped radars, electronics and missiles is expected to be ready for battle before the end of the year. Sweden has acquired two types of missiles, anti-aircraft missiles 103A or Patriot Gem T and 103B or PAC-3 MSE against ballistic missiles for SEK 12 billion ($ 1.35 billion).
“It’s a fantastic day” for the Swedish army
The Swedish army chief Karl Engelbrektson said in a statement, “It is a big day for the Armed Forces and the army. We get a new ability to fight ballistic missiles and the total effect of air defense systems 103 affects our defense capabilities in a very concrete way. I can now report to the Minister of Defense that air defense system 103 will have the so-called initial operational capability (IOC) from the turn of the year. “