STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AP) -- At the height of the Cold War, Sweden had one of the world's strongest militaries. Now, the thaw between East and West has melted its might.
Sweden's formidable defense forces have helped keep it out of war since 1814, even during the decades when the nearby Soviet Union was seen as a threat.After the Soviet Union collapsed and the Russian military was revealed as poorly maintained and badly fed, Sweden began cutting back its armed forces.
Top commanders watched uneasily as defense outlays were shaved -- from 11 percent of the national budget in 1975 to 6.9 percent last year. The air force, which had been the world's fifth-largest 40 years ago with 850 planes, is now down to 220.
The Swedish navy has been pared from a fleet of more than 130 warships, including a dozen destroyers and 26 submarines, to just 24 lightly armed surface vessels and nine submarines. The army that once comprised 31 brigades and 155,000 soldiers has seen its force reduced to 13 brigades and 65,000 men.
In the latest blow to the military, the government this week announced that it would not appropriate more money to pay for new equipment that was ordered years ago. Instead, the government suggested, the military could cover some of the $1.16 billion debt by borrowing against future defense budgets.
Supreme Commander Owe Wiktorin found that suggestion humiliating.
"We have always kept our budgets. To borrow money to solve your problems is a bad solution. Every breadwinner knows that," Wiktorin said. "This is the worst possible scenario."
Wiktorin says the current $5.5 billion defense budget falls $375 million short. To close the gap, Wiktorin says, the military may have to limit itself to 6,000 conscripts next year instead of the usual 25,000, and postpone or cancel equipment orders.