Sweden’s lack of helicopters criticized – Expressen

Sweden's lack of helicopters criticized – Expressen

Criticism that Sweden has no right helicopters to hunt submarines grows as the defense candidate continues.

– In the 80′s we had there and it allowed the rapid movement in this kind of operation areas. It also meant that from the air could operate with weapons against intruders, says Defence Committee chairman Allan Widman, FP.

Over the last few days massive Defense Initiative in Swedish waters criticism has been against the Swedish Armed Forces’ ability to hunt submarines is very neglected. Defence Committee chairman Allan Widman, FP, believes that the lack of the right helicopters and competence are worrying about it is that Sweden is the subject of a violation under the water.

– This type of violation, in the case of it is far more difficult to detect than those that take place in the skies, he says.

Lack of submarines

Above all, his lack of criticism right submarines. 2008 phased out the last Vertolhelikoptrarna in defense but new types of helicopters would replace the old ones. Something that has not happened yet. The new type was ordered in 2001 but has been delayed again and again.

– They’re long delay. They would have been with us 2008. Regarding the sjöoperativa part, then anti-submarine warfare capability, they say that it should come somewhere after 2020, it is a long period of time in this context, says Widman.

But how did it come to be in this?

– When we are about to develop new materials and new helicopters are delays and then it costs more money than it was supposed to, said Widman.

Peter Jeppsson, S, is in addition a member of the Defence Committee also naval officer and served on HMS Stockholm in developing båtsjakten in the 90s as a navigation officer and radar operator. He points out that both the right skills and helicopters missing to hunt submarines.

– notes that this is an anti-submarine warfare, one must have additions and other systems to keep up with the outside world. It will certainly be one of the evaluations when this becomes clear, says Jeppsson.

“Right now there is not the ability”

Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist said on Sunday Expressen that the lack of the right kind of helicopters is a “reality” and not a new task.

– Here it is also planned that it will be delivered helicopters for just that purpose within a few years, but right now there is not the ability.

The defense minister wants the current operation is evaluated after it has been completed.