APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200090016-9
Pilots are eligible to attend the Royal Armed Forces Staff College and the Royal National Defense College.
E. Air force
The Royal Swedish Air Force (RSAF) is organized to maintain air defense of Sweden, perform tactical operations in conjunction with ground and naval forces, and provide reconnaissance for surface forces. (S)
The air force lacks combat experience and the logistic and personnel support necessary to maintain itself in sustained combat. Nevertheless, the RSAF is in a continuous state of readiness, maintains a high state of security on its basis, and is well led and well trained. In the event of an attack on Sweden the air force would be capable of a vigorous initial defense against an enemy of comparable strength and equipment, but it would be unable to maintain a sustained effort against a major aggressor. (S)
Nearly all combat aircraft and spare parts are produced by the privately owned Swedish Aircraft Company (SAAB) which has a moderate but technologically competent capability for producing jet fighters and trainers, and light utility aircraft. Recent production efforts centered around the J-35F Draken interceptor aircraft, the F-35 attack aircraft (exported to Denmark), the AJ-37 Viggen short-takeoff-and-landing (STOL) attack aircraft, and the Saab 105 trainer/light attack aircraft being exported to Austria. Although Sweden has the production capability to fulfill its requirements for fighter aircraft, transport aircraft and helicopters have been purchased from France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Japan, and the United States. (S)
The SAAB missile department has been producing Hughes missiles under license since 1959. At the beginning of the license agreement, SAAB build the Sidewinder (USAF AIM-9B), which was fitted on the J-35A/B/D systems. Over the past few years SAAB has produced the RB-27 which is a license manufacture of the Hughes HM-55 missile (USAF AIM-26B Falcon). Nine hundred of these radar-guided air-to-air missiles were produced by SAAB, the last of which was built in June 1970. The RB-27 is compatible only with the J-35F Draken. SAAB is now completing the production run of the RB-28, a license manufacture of the Hughes HM-58 missile, a variation of the USAF AIM-4D. The RB-28 is an infrared-guided air-to-air missile. An estimated 1,150 of the total run of 1,200 missiles had been produced as of 1 January 1971. Upon completion of the series run for the RSAF. SAAB was to produce additional RB-28's to be shipped to Finland as part of a Draken sale to that country. The RSAF is training Finnish pilots in the use of the Draken aircraft. (S)
1. Organization (S)
Operational command of the air force is the responsibility of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, to whom the Commander in Chief of the Air Force is responsible for training, mobilization, tactics, and organization. The Commander in Chief of the Air Force supplies trained personnel and equipment to the First Air Command and to the regional joint military commands. Directly subordinate to him is the Chief of the Air Force Staff, whose staff consists of the Planning Office, the Air Safety and Air Systems Inspectorates, the Meteorological Office, the Air Force Surgeon in Chief, and two sections: I (Communications and Intelligence Offices) and II (Organization, Training, Personnel, and Press Offices).
The First Air Command, with headquarters at Goteborg, has all of the attack aircraft and most of the reconnaissance aircraft, some of the latter are in the 21st Reconnaissance and All-Weather Fighter Wing at Lulea/Kallax Airfield.
FIGURE 21. Member of the Women's Naval Auxiliary Corps (U/OU) (picture)
21
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200090016-9
