Swedish Armed Forces warn of serious situation amid personnel shortages and safety concerns

According to the Swedish Armed Forces, the situation is serious and is a result of a challenging international context. Michael Cherinet, the Director of Training and Exercises, emphasized that personnel should not have to bypass safety regulations and protocols, though the organization and staff are under considerable stress.

The Officers’ Union, representing both officers and enlisted soldiers, recently distributed a survey through the research company Novus, which garnered responses from over 4,500 members. The survey revealed that 19% of respondents had to deviate from safety protocols in the past year to fulfill their duties, citing time constraints and personnel shortages as the primary reasons. However, the specifics of these deviations were not detailed in the survey.

Moreover, 12% of participants reported experiencing incidents that could have resulted in injury or fatalities over the same period. Stefan Morin, the chair of the Officers’ Union, noted that this reflects the pressure within the defense sector, stating that there are too many vacancies and a high operational workload. He agrees with the Armed Forces’ view that recruitment of additional personnel is crucial. Morin added that making military careers more attractive is essential to encourage more individuals to join the armed forces.