Sweden accelerates arms upgrade with emergency U.S. rifle buy
The Swedish Armed Forces have decided to immediately purchase 15,000 Colt M4A1 automatic rifles from the USA to replace the worn-out weapons from the 1980s and 1990s. The new weapons will be delivered to soldiers who will embark on a NATO mission in Latvia at the beginning of next year.
The decision to purchase American rifles stems from issues related to a joint procurement with Finland for weapons from the Finnish manufacturer Sako. As reported by the Polish Press Agency, the German company Heckler & Koch challenged the 2023 procurement decision, which caused delays in deliveries on the expected scale.
The AK 5 rifles of local production, previously used by the Swedish army, require replacement despite upgrades due to wear and tear. The new Colt M4A1 is expected to provide better reliability and effectiveness, especially for soldiers participating in international missions, which will increase rapidly due to Sweden joining the NATO Alliance.
The head of the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), Jonas Lotsne, emphasized in an interview with SVT television: "By 2030, the size of the army is to be doubled. The same applies to the weapons we need in large quantities."
The Swedish army is arming itself to support NATO
The purchase documentation states that "without the acquisition of new armaments, the army's combat capability and ability to defend borders would be at risk in the future." Therefore, the urgent replacement of equipment is crucial for national security and fulfilling international obligations.
Sweden, which has begun the process of accession to NATO, plans to send a reduced battalion of approximately 600 soldiers to Latvia at the beginning of 2025. The goal is to reinforce the contingent stationed there under Canadian command to strengthen the Alliance's key eastern flank.
