Sweden played a role of major importance during the Cold War, despite not officially participating. Sweden's location made it an ideal base of operations for both the Soviet Union and the United States. Sweden was never invaded throughout the war, mainly due to their strong defensive power - ranked among the top five in the world at this time.
Army
Personal equipment NameImageOrigin Type Quantity Years in serviceNotesUniforms and Gears m/1952 Service dress uniform Unknown 1952-???? m/1954Guard duty uniformUnknown1954-????Kit consisted of a white helmet, belt, gloves and ankle gaiters. "White outfit m/1954" was a collective term for the kit. It was used by the army together with uniform m/1952 and later to uniform m/1960 for guard duty.m/1958Combat uniformUnknown1958-????Produced in parallel with m/1959 uniform. Intended for winter use.m/1959Combat uniformUnknown1958-????Intended for summer use.Combat Helmetsm/1921Steel helmetUnknown1921-????m/1926Steel helmetUnknown1926-????Used primarily by the Swedish Civil Defense.m/1937Steel helmetUnknown1937-1990sThe m/1937 would see modernization in 1965, with an updated liner.m/1990Kevlar helmetUnknown1990s-????Two versions were made that were virtually identical but had different inner linings.
Small arms
NameOriginTypeVersionsQuantityYears in serviceNotes Pistol m/39 Semi-automatic pistol Pistol m/38 1,500 1939-???? Walther-built Model HP Pistol m/40 Semi-automatic pistol Pistol m/40Pistol m/40B 100,000 1940-1990s License-built Lahti L-35, manufactured by Husqvarna Pistol 88 Semi-automatic pistol Glock 17 (pist 88)Glock 19 (pist 88B) Unknown 1980s-presentModern standard-issue sidearm Kulsprutepistol m/37 Submachine gun Kpist m/37kpist m37-39 35,000 1939-1980s 9 mm Browning Long 9 mm Parabellum Kulsprutepistol m/39 Submachine gun M39 Unknown 1940s-???? - MP 18 Submachine gun MP 18 Unknown 1920s-???? - Kpist m/45 Submachine gun M/45M/45BM/45CM/45BEM/45BETM/45S Unknown 1945–2007 Standard version Minor improvementsComes equipped with a bayonet mountSelective-fire version, used by policeComes equipped with a tear gas launcherUses a 50-round coffin magazine Gevär m/96 Bolt-action rifle M/1894M/1896M/1938M/1941M/1941B 127,000535,00088,0005,3005,300 1895-1980s - Gevär m/39gevär m/40 Bolt-action anti-tank rifle Kar 98k 5,0001939-1970s Rechambered from the original 8 × 57 IS to 8×63mm patron m/32 Automatgevär m/42 Self-loading rifle Ag m/42AAg m/42B Unknown 1942–1965 - Automatkarbin 4 Battle rifle AK4AK4BAK4OR Unknown 1965–present Standard versionEquipped with Aimpoint red dot sightEquipped with 4×24 telescopic sight Automatkarbin 5 Assault rifleDesignated marksman rifleAssault rifleAssault rifleCarbinePolice combat rifle FFV Ak 5FFV Ak 5BBofors Ak 5CBofors Ak 5CFBofors Ak 5DCGA5P UnknownUnknownUnknown40,000UnknownUnknown 1986–present Modern standard-issue assault rifle4× tritium sightMultiple modifications by BoforsMultiple modifications by BoforsLightweight carbine versionSemi-automatic version with improved accuracy Kulsprutegevär m/21 Kg m/37, kg m/21-37 / Automatic rifle Model 1919 Unknown1921–1980 - Kulsprutegevär m/40 Automatic rifle KG m/40 5,0001940-???? - Kulspruta m/14 Medium machine gun Kulspruta m/14 Unknown1910s-1940s - Kulspruta m/58 General-purpose machine gun Ksp 58Ksp 58BKsp 58 Strv Unknown 1958–present1972–present1958-1990sStandard versionRechambered to 7.62×51mm NATOEquipped for the Strv 103 Kulspruta 90 Light machine gun Ksp 90Ksp 90B Unknown 1980s-present- Kulspruta 95 Squad automatic weapon Ksp 95 Unknown 1980s-present- Kulspruta m/36 Medium machine gun Ksp m/36 Unknown 1940s-present- Kulspruta m/39 Medium machine gun Ksp m/39 Unknown 1940s-present- Tung Kulspruta 12,7 mm Heavy machine gun Tksp 12,7 mm Unknown 1940s-present- Granatspruta40 mm Automatic grenade launcher Grsp 40 mm Unknown 1970s-present- M203 Grenade launcher M203 Unknown 1970s-present- Granatgevär m/48 Multirole recoilless rifle Grg m/48 Unknown 1948–presentThen standard-issue rocket launcher/anti-tank weapon Raketgevär 46 Recoilless anti-tank weapon Raketgevär 46 Unknown 1940s-1960s- Pansarskott m/68 Recoilless anti-tank weapon Pskott m/68 Unknown 1968-1980s- Robotsystem 69 Man-portable air-defence system RBS 69 Unknown 1968-1990s- Robotsystem Man-portable air-defence system RBS 70 Unknown 1977–present-
Armored fighting vehicles The Swedish army during the Cold War possessed more or less 24,000 ground vehicles, including 2,354 tanks, 1,257 armored fighting vehicles, and up to 20,000 utility vehicles.
VehicleOriginTypeVersionsQuantityYears in serviceNotes Pltgb 903 4×4 infantry truck4×4 infantry truck4×4 communications vehicle4×4 anti-tank vehicleATGM carrierFirefighting vehicle Pltgb 903Pltgb 903BRaptgb 9033Pvpjtgb 9031Pvrbtgb 9032Brtgb 921 Thousands 1959-1977---Equipped with the Pvpj 1110 90mm recoilless gunEquipped with the Robot 53 ATGM-Terrängbil 11 4×4 infantry truck4×4 anti-tank vehicle6×6 communications vehicle6×6 infantry truck6×6 communications vehicle6×6 ambulance6×6 artillery spotter6×6 armored personnel carrierMANPADS carrierTgb 11Tgb 1111Tgb 1112Tgb 13Tgb 1313Tgb 1314Tgb 1321Tgb 21Tgb 22 Roughly 6,500 1967–present -Equipped with the Pvpj 1110 90mm recoilless gun------Equipped with the RBS 70 Bv 202 Tracked all-terrain vehicle 5,000 1964–present - Bv 206 All-terrain carrierMilitary ambulanceMilitary firefighting apparatusImproved intelligence vehicleMobile military radio transmitter Bv 206Bv 206ABv 206FBv 2064Bv2068 4,500 1980-present - Pbil m/39 Armoured carPbil m/39Pbil m/40 1530 1939-19561939-1960s Standard versionPowered by a Volvo engine Pbil m/41 Armoured car L-18051933–1980 - Tgbil m/42 KP Armored personnel carrier SKPVKP 262100 1944–2004 Manufactured by Scania-VabisManufactured by Volvo Pbv 301 Armored personnel carrier 185 1961–1971 - Pbv 302 Armored personnel carrier 400+ 1965–2014 - Patria Pasi Armored personnel carrierCommand vehicleArmored personnel carrier XA-180SXA-202SXA-203S200 1980s–present --Armed with a 20mm auto cannon Ikv 91 Infantry support vehicle Ikv 91Ikv 105 212 1975–2002 -Prototype with a 105mm anti-tank gun Strv m/37 Tankette Strv m/37 48 1938–1953 License-built version of the AH-IV Strv L-60 Light tank Strv m/38Strv m/39Strv m/40Strv m/40LStrv m/40K1520?10080 1939-????1940-????????-????1941-????1944-???? - Strv m/41 Medium tank Strv m/412381942-1950sLicense-built, slightly upgraded version of the Panzer 38(t) Strv m/42 Medium tank Lago I (Strv m/42)Lago II (Strv m/42 TM)Lago III (Strv m/42 TH)Lago IV (Strv m/42 EH)342 total1943-????1943-????1944-????1944-????Standard versionTwo engines and electromagnetic gearboxTwo engines and two hydraulic gearboxesOne engine and a hydraulic gearbox Strv 74 Medium tank Strv 74 HStrv 74 V 659 1958-1984- Centurion tank Main battle tank Strv 81Strv 101Strv 101RStrv 102Strv 102RStrv 104350 total 1953-1992 Strv 103 Main battle tank Strv 103AStrv 103BStrv 103CStrv 103D 290 1967-19971970s-19971986-19971990sStandard versionEnhanced engineEnhanced engine and laser rangefinderModernized prototype, only 1 built
Artillery and mortars NameOriginTypeVersionsQuantityYears in serviceNotes M/41D Heavy mortar 219 1941–present 120mm caliber mortar Haubits FH77 Towed howitzer FH77 AFH77 B 220 1978-2006 PvBv 2062 Mobile anti-tank gun Unknown 1980s-presentEquipped with Pvpj 1110 90mm recoilless gun PvBv 2063 ATGM carrier Unknown 1980s-presentEquipped with Rbs 55 or Rbs 56 Bkan 1 Self-propelled artillery Bkan 1ABkan 1C 26 1967-2003- Bofors 40 mm Anti-aircraft autocannon Bofors L/60Bofors L/70 Unknown 1934–present- MIM-23 Hawk Surface-to-air missile RBS 77RBS 97 8 launchers 1960s-presentUnknown number of missiles, at least 24Lvrbv 701 MANPADS carrier 49 1980s-2000Equipped with RBS 70
Coastal defence The eastern coast of Sweden, along a length of more than 1500 kilometres, probably had the most powerful coastal defence system in the world. The system consisted of coastal artillery, submarines, battleships and aircraft. No less than 90 heavy cannons (typically 7.5 cm cannons) with large underground facilities were strategically located along the coast, together with a large number of bunkers and pillboxes.
Navy The Swedish navy possessed a total of 129 ships between 1945 and 1991.
Seaplane cruisers ShipOriginTypeNamesQuantityYears in serviceNotes Gotland class Seaplane cruiser 11933-1963 Could carry 8 aircraft Dristigheten class Seaplane cruiser 11901-1947 Could carry 2 aircraft
Cruisers Sweden possessed four cruisers throughout the Cold War. ShipOriginTypeNamesQuantityYears in serviceNotes Clas Fleming class Mine cruiser 11912-1960 - Fylgia class Armored cruiser 11907-1957 - Cruiser 21944-19641945-1971 -
Destroyers Sweden had a total of 35 destroyer-class vessels throughout the Cold War, most of them World War II models. As time went on, Sweden begun to put less effort in keeping large surface combatants and instead increasingly relied on patrol boats, fast attack craft, coastal artillery and air superiority. However this approach (especially the overreliance on lighter surface combatants) was somewhat discredited by the early 1980s. Attempts were then made to move back towards heavier more capable surface combatants (e.g. the Ytstridsfartyg Större [Surface Combatant Large] program), but this was ultimately curtailed by the sudden end to the Cold War.
Destroyers in 1945: 28 Destroyers in 1950: 21 Destroyers in 1960: 24 Destroyers in 1970: 17 Destroyers in 1980: 13 Destroyers in 1991: 0
ShipOriginTypeNamesQuantityYears in serviceNotes Destroyer 21927-1963 - Destroyer HSwMS GöteborgHSwMS StockholmHSwMS MalmöHSwMS KarlskronaHSwMS NorrköpingHSwMS Gävle 61936-19621937-19651939-19701940-19791941-19651941-1968 - Destroyer HSwMS Halland 21955-19851956-1979 - Destroyer HSwMS HuginHSwMS Munin 21911-19471911-1946 - Destroyer HSwMS Klas Horn 1 1932-1958- Destroyer 4 1942-19661942-19701942-19681942-1966All converted to frigates in 1953/1957 Destroyer HSwMS Romulus 2 1934-19581934-1958- Psilander class Destroyer 2 1926-19471926-1947- Destroyer HSwMS RagnarHSwMS SigurdHSwMS Vidar 3 1910-1947- Destroyer HSwMS HälsingborgHSwMS Kalmar HSwMS Visby 41942-1982- Destroyer 21918-1947- Destroyer HSwMS UpplandHSwMS Öland 21947-1979- Destroyer HSwMS GästriklandHSwMS HälsinglandHSwMS SödermanlandHSwMS Östergötland 41955-1982-
Coastal defense ships
The Swedish navy maintained 7 coastal defense ships after World War II, though some were taken out of service shortly after. Oscar II-class coastal defense ship (1) HSwMS Oscar II (1905-1950) (3) (1921-1957) (1922-1957) (1915-1953) (3) HSwMS Manligheten (1904-1950) HSwMS Tapperheten (1903-1947) HSwMS Äran (1902-1947)
Corvettes
The Swedish navy had as few as six corvettes in service during the Cold War, relying on larger vessels during this time. (4) HSwMS Gävle (1990–present) HSwMS Göteborg (1990–present) HSwMS Kalmar (1990–present) (1991–present) (2) HSwMS Malmö (1985–present) HSwMS Stockholm (1984–present)
Mine warfare vessels
Sweden possessed 19 mine warfare vessels throughout the time period 1945–1991. HSwMS Alnösund minelayer HSwMS Arkösund minelayer HSwMS Barösund minelayer HSwMS Grundsund minelayer HSwMS Furusund minelayer HSwMS Fårösund minelayer HSwMS Kalmarsund minelayer HSwMS Kalvsund minelayer HSwMS Skramsösund minelayer HSwMS Älvsborg minelayer HSwMS Älvsnabben minelayer HSwMS Öresund minelayer (7) HSwMS Arholma (1984-2010) HSwMS Koster (1986–present) HSwMS Kullen (1986–present) HSwMS Landsort (1982–present) HSwMS Ulvön (1980s-present) HSwMS Ven (1980s-present) HSwMS Vinga (1980s-present)
Patrol boats
Seventeen patrol boats were in service in the Royal Swedish Navy between 1945 and 1991.
HSwMS Hugin HSwMS Jägaren HSwMS Kaparen HSwMS Magne HSwMS Mjölner HSwMS Mode HSwMS Munin HSwMS Mysing HSwMS Snapphanen HSwMS Spejaren HSwMS Starkodder HSwMS Styrbjörn HSwMS Tirfing HSwMS Tordön HSwMS Vale HSwMS Vidar HSwMS Väktaren
Torpedo boats
Sweden had 12 torpedo boats during the Cold War.
(1) HSwMS Perseus (11)