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months' active duty service is required. In order to become an officer, noncommissioned officer (NCO), or technician, the conscript or volunteer must serve beyond the initial 10-month commitment. Upon completion of the conscription term, personnel have a reserve obligation until 47 years of age. Flying personnel of the air force and a large part of the navy personnel are regulars; these two services, particularly the air force, have a high peacetime readiness for action. However, conscripts are necessary for full air and naval defense as well as for base services in wartime.

The armed forces reserves total approximately 867,000. About 360,000 of these would be formed into Field Army units and 240,000 are in an organized reserve element. Plans not yet approved will reduce Field Army units by more than half by the late 1970's. The navy and air force reserves total 70,000 and 47,000 respectively.

Once the decision for mobilization has been made by the cabinet operating in the King's name (King-in-Council), the regional commanders, through the central military and civil authorities, will be responsible for the issuance of directives regarding the recall of army personnel to their units. Responsibility for the recall of navy and air force personnel rests with the naval and airbase commanders.

2. Strength trends (S)

The armed forces were fully mobilized during World War II, reaching an estimated strength of 500,000. Demobilized after the war, they have maintained a relatively stable peacetime active strength. The strengths of the armed forces for the years 1961-72 are shown in the table below.

The annual conscript classes are increasing in size because of the higher birth rate following World War II, but statutory and budgetary restrictions will continue to limit the size of the armed forces. Because of the excess of manpower, the personnel selection system can afford to be highly selective and reject and exempt a higher proportion of men than could otherwise be expected.

3. Training (C)

Training is concentrated on defense of the homeland. Training method generally follow those used by the British and the United States. Officers are eager to have the chance to receive US training in modern methods of warfare. Although Swedish forces are not equipped with nuclear weapons, current training stresses defense against nuclear as well as chemical and biological weapons.

There are three basic types of military training; pre-military for volunteers between the ages of 16 and 18; conscript for the army, navy, and air force; and refresher for reserves.

The high quality of Swedish personnel facilitates basic training as well as training in winter warfare and in exercises requiring technical skill and physical vigor. The main deficiencies in training for all services may be traced to lack of combat experience. Other limiting factors are the short conscript period and infrequent refresher training for reservists.

Advanced training for selected officers of all three services is conducted in two joint schools -- the Royal National Defense College and the Royal Armed Forces Staff College -- both in Stockholm. The defense college offers an annual corse, also attended by selected civilians, that considers the problems of total war and the coordination of all governmental agencies in the defense of the country. The staff college offers courses in general and special staff functions.

Annual fall mobilization exercises are the responsibility of the joint regional commanders. Improved direction and coordination of the operating units of the three services and refresher training for mobilized units are the main objectives of the exercises.

4. Military budget (U/OU)

The annual military budget prior to 1 July 1972 was based on a 4-year defense plan proposed by the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and reviewed and approved by the parliament. Beginning 1 July 1972 the annual military budget is based on a 5-year defense plan. For fiscal years 1 July 1968 through 30 June 1973 defense appropriations increased in absolute terms at an average annual rate of 6.6%;

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APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200090016-9