British Army Commander visits Norrbotten – Swedish Armed Forces

Snowy Boden was the first to meet the four-star British general. Among his entourage was Lt. Gen. Nick Burton, head of ARRC, Rapid Response Corps, NATO’s rapid reaction force on the ground. Together with Army Commander and Deputy Army Commander Anders Svensson, they were greeted by fan guards and general appeal.

Driving combat vehicles and firing artillery

But then he went into action directly with the 1st Station in the Norrbotten Armored Battalion on I 19. Here Sanders first received a briefing on the battalion’s training activities. He then received a presentation on Combat Vehicle System 90 from Ensign Hanna Strömberg.
– You talked about the role of the combat vehicle in the Swedish army and the importance of the system in fighting the brigade, battalion and company. That is, unlike many other countries, we use the vehicle as a combat maneuvering unit as well, and not just as a troop transport vehicle, as you say.

General Sanders then attempted to drive a chariot into the terrain following clear instructions from Ensign Stromberg.
– The general had good foreknowledge, but he was very humble and wanted me to explain the system. He has very good chances of becoming a combat vehicle driver.

Then, a visit to Boden’s Regimental Artillery and Archer Artillery System awaits you – Patrick Sanders also managed to shoot the famous artillery piece himself.

The importance of North Kalut is increasing

But the visit was not limited to testing the equipment. Much time was also spent on confidential and frank conversations between, among others, Karl Engelbrektsson and Patrick Sanders.
– It’s no secret that the importance of the Northern Hemisphere has increased, among other things, due to climate change. This means increased opportunities but also challenges as the ice melts and waterways open up. Add the desired oil and natural gas found there. This can cause tensions between countries, says Karl Engelbrektsson.

Therefore, close military cooperation between Sweden, Norway and Finland is crucial to protect this part of Europe, Engelbrektsson stresses.
– a cooperation that has already been improved by the application of Finnish and Swedish NATO, says the army chief.

On the second day, one of the army’s newest units, the Norland Cavalry Regiment, K4 was visited at Arvidsjaur. The British Army’s interest in Swedish skills in sub-Arctic warfare was evident earlier this past fall, when British hunters trained alongside fishermen in K4. Now Generals Sanders and Burton could see this with their own eyes and up close. The unit is working.
– They expressed that there is a lot for the British Army to learn here. Altogether, it is a very rewarding visit that reinforces the good relations between Sweden and Great Britain, but also one that demonstrates the strategic importance of the Northern Cape, says Deputy Chief of Army Staff Anders Svensson.