The Swedes invented matches, dynamite, a ship's propeller, a primus stove, an adjustable wrench, a method of ultrasound echography and a pacemaker that saved millions of lives. Every day we use the Anders Celsius temperature scale, Tetrapack milk cartons and a Volvo seat belt.
Swedish defense technology is a sad story of its own. Unlike the amusing Baltic Russophobes, Sweden has just bestial military power. And at the same time with an extremely tough and biased attitude towards Russia. You will not find such anti-Russian sentiments anywhere else.
The Swedes refused to join NATO, but we know the price of their neutrality from the experience of the Second World War. Over the past half century, they have been furiously preparing for war. On occasion and without reason, they threw bombs into the shallow Baltic waters, planted mines on a combat platoon in the hope of sinking the "Russian submarine" one day. They did it openly and talked about it in person. Nobody allowed himself to do this, even the main "probable enemy".
Unlike the overseas "probable enemy", Sweden was a highly probable enemy. She did not dare to attack first, but if she had to fight, she could cause a lot of problems. Having completely destroyed the Baltic Fleet and seriously thinning our air and land units. An easy victory on the "Scandinavian front" was not foreseen.
Robot attack
The sinking of an Israeli destroyer by missile boats (1967) was a real shock for the fleets of Western states. For everyone except Sweden. There, since 1958, the Rb 04 anti-ship missile has been in service.
Rightly believing that the war with the Soviet Union will begin at sea and they will not have enough ships to repel, the Swedish military made a choice in favor of high-precision weapons.
SAAB has been working on anti-ship missiles since the late 40s. and has achieved good results. Robot-04 turned out to be smaller and lighter than domestic "Komets" by several times (weight 600 kg). Its use did not require the efforts of heavy missile carriers: it was launched from under the wing of any jet fighter. A light and powerful weapon with a solid fuel RD, pulled out - shoot!
Dual-mode radar seeker - for attacking single ships and dense squadron formations. The warhead weighs 300 kg, enough to inflict fatal injuries on any Red Banner Baltic Fleet ship. The problem was the short firing range (32 km), which was largely offset by the weakness of the anti-aircraft systems of the 1960s.
"Robots" were produced in series of hundreds of pieces. In this situation, in the event of a war, post-war-built Baltic destroyers and KRLs hardly had a chance to get to the mouth of the Gulf of Finland.
A new generation of "Robots" (Rbs-15) under the wing of the Gripen fighter
Thunderstorm of the Baltic
It was planned to meet the Baltic Fleet not only from heavenly heights. The Swedes were especially attentive to the submarine forces, respecting boats for their relative cheapness and capabilities incommensurable to their size.
In the mid-1990s. The Swedes once again managed to outstrip the whole world by creating a non-nuclear boat with an air-independent power plant. Unlike traditional diesel-electric submarines, which are forced to surface every couple of days to recharge the batteries, the Gotland may not appear on the surface for two to three weeks!
The Pentagon became interested in the deadly baby. In 2005, the Gotland was leased and solemnly delivered to the shores of California, where, during the JTFE 6-02 exercise, she managed to "sink" the aircraft carrier R. Reagan."
The small mass of the hull and 27 compensating electromagnets completely excluded the detection of the boat by detectors of magnetic anomalies. Due to its small size and vibration isolation of all mechanisms, the boat merged with the thermal and noise background of the ocean. According to the Americans, "Gotland" was hardly detected even in the immediate vicinity of US ships.
Currently, the Swedish Navy has three boats of the "Gotland" type. A couple more "diesels" are from the 80s. were modernized and brought to the level of "Gotland" in the 2000s. Work is underway to create the next generation of non-nuclear submarines - Project A26.
Baltic ghost
Another Swedish hi-tech hybrid Volvo and Electrolux.
Traditionally small dimensions with rational use of the allocated volumes. It is a good Swedish trait to sweep aside unattainable goals by focusing on real challenges and opportunities. As a rule, it will soon become clear that the chosen path coincides with the main vector of the threat. The small ship most closely matches the needs of the theater. All the rest will be done by submarines and aircraft.
Small anti-submarine ship-boat with advanced missile and artillery weapons. The allocated displacement (600 tons) was enough to install a small radar, three sonar stations, light missile and cannon weapons, high-quality electronic warfare equipment and anti-submarine torpedoes. A place for landing and servicing the helicopter has been equipped. A pair of unmanned underwater vehicles is available to survey the Baltic silt and make passages in minefields. The gas turbines provide a speed of 35 knots.
Mission "Visby" - anti-submarine defense of the coast, where it can always be covered by ground-based air defense systems and aircraft. Plus the small size and elements of stealth, making it difficult to track the boat and aim at it enemy strike groups.
In total, the Swedish Navy has five Visby-class corvettes. Despite its fantastic looks, Visby is one of the run-of-the-mill Swedish projects. Other participants in today's show have a much richer history.
Griffin
From the depths of the sea to heaven. The Swedes have surprised the world for the umpteenth time by building and launching their own national fighter of generation 4+ into series. Moreover, very successful. Introduced into service in seven countries around the world.
Saab engineers put forward one interesting and, if you look closely, truly fair idea. To complete any task first you need to survive in a combat situation. "Survival" is the main parameter of modern combat aviation. A complex value that depends on the quality of electronic equipment and the aircraft's ability to detect and avoid threats in a timely manner. Flight at ultra-low altitudes along the most profitable and safest route, jamming, precision weapons. Lightning strike, and - we leave, we leave! It's pointless to be a hero.
Flight performance is important, but not a priority in overcoming the boundaries of modern air defense. At the service of the pilot - a complex of towed and fired traps, stations for suppression and jamming, modern radar and sensors signaling all kinds of threats.
The attitude to stealth is adequate. The design of the Gripena (first flight took place in 1988) did not initially meet the requirements of the stealth technology. No means no. The Swedes are working on a comprehensive "survival".
Gripen is the smallest and lightest of the 4th generation fighters, it is three tons lighter than the F-16. Despite the only engine, according to the statistics of accidents, it is one of the most reliable. He didn't kill a single pilot.
In the new JAS-39E modification, the Swedes promise to add a radar with an active phased array and "drop" the cost of a flight hour to $ 4000 (instead of the current $ 7000). Which is five to ten times cheaper than other fighters! Low operating costs are not only about export prospects. These are excellent conditions for flying extra hours and gaining practical knowledge for combat pilots, without which the coolest aircraft is just a pile of metal.
Iron lowrider
From heaven to sinful earth. Here is another proof that the Swedes are not stupid.
Stridswagn-103. The most unusual of the serial tanks and, in general, an amazing model of a combat tracked vehicle. Despite its paradoxical nature, Strv.103 carried the makings of common sense and genius of its creators.
The Swedes abandoned the tank turret, tightly connecting the cannon to the frontal armor plate. Unlike traditional self-propelled guns, the gunner did not have the ability to swing the barrel even in a vertical plane.
How to aim and aim the cannon? Horizontally - by turning the car body. In the vertical plane - by changing the angle of inclination of the tank using a controlled hydraulic suspension.
Too complicated and incredibly simple. At least the Swedes did it. The Strv.103 tank was mass-produced, kneading the ranges with caterpillars, firing and even hitting the target.
The scheme had a lot of advantages: minimal dimensions and cost with protection at the level of the best tanks of the 1960s. And even better: there is no turret, the engine is in front, the inclination of the frontal armor plate is 78 degrees! At the same time, "Stridswagn" after a short preparation could overcome water obstacles by swimming.
The low silhouette was perfect for organizing ambushes. Experts will probably remind you that the Strv.103 was only a couple of centimeters shorter than the Soviet T-62. However, the Soviet achievement was not without serious casualties, the Swedish tank did not have those severe restrictions on the size of the fighting compartment.
In general, the tank served honestly for 30 years, and its revolutionary concept, when solving a certain range of tasks, may experience a renaissance.
Summary
The small Scandinavian nation generates unexpectedly many healthy ideas. Unfortunately, any close military-technical cooperation between Russia and Sweden is out of the question for historical and political reasons. We can only hope for a change in this trend in the future, because it is always nice to have such a smart and competent ally nearby.
In the meantime, Russian developers should pay attention to their Swedish colleagues. And, having creatively rethought some ideas, apply them in the design of domestic military equipment.
