This is another post in the debate about the future of the Swedish army. The post will, based on observations from the war in Ukraine, discuss that the Army in war is not an isolated actor, but part of a larger war effort. Large-scale warfare is an effort by the whole of society, where the whole of society goes to war.
The war against Ukraine shows that large-scale warfare is something that affects the entire society, but also that society is an important part of creating warfare capabilities. In other words, that war is fought not only with military units, but by the entire society. This therefore means and requires the integration of civilian structures and resources in the Army.
Observations from the war against Ukraine
Ukraine has demonstrated both resilience and the ability to sustain a long-term war-fighting capability. This has been based in part on their ability to quickly mobilize and integrate civilian resources into the war effort, with flexibility and improvisation as contributing factors to success.
When the conflict in eastern Ukraine escalated in 2014, several initiatives emerged as a response to the state's shortcomings. This accelerated with the full invasion in February 2022. After eight years of low-intensity war, an initially chaotic situation emerged at the beginning of the full invasion. In this situation, initiative and speed proved to be crucial. Ukrainian social actors are demonstrating, among other things, a significant ability to protect and repair critical infrastructure and societal functions, such as electricity supply. This has been crucial for maintaining the functionality of society and the population's will to defend itself; which contributes to the resilience and psychological endurance that form the basis for the units' ability to operate for a long time. Without motivation, it does not matter how many units and soldiers the army mobilizes.
Furthermore, for example, Ukrainian innovation has contributed to the development of various types of digital applications during war. These mobile applications are developed in collaboration between the state, the military and (international) civil society. However, mobile applications for reporting by the civilian population have certain challenges under international law.
In addition, international, non-governmental initiatives have been established in the form of manufacturing, for example, parts for drones, donation of vehicles and medical equipment, translation of publications and training materials for supplementary and continued unit production.
In summary, civil and military defense are thus two sides of the same coin; society's collective war effort. The war against Ukraine has shown that society embraces a propensity for change as a survival strategy. This is due, among other things, to a lack of resources, the demands for decision-making in changing situations, and the challenges of being able to carry out long-term social planning during an ongoing war. It is the sum of all of society's actors who together create the country's warfighting capability, where both military and civilian preparations begin long before the first shot is fired, and whose activities extend long after the last shot is fired.
The way forward?
The Swedish Army is not an isolated actor, but part of a larger war effort. To be part of a nationwide war effort, the Army must therefore develop its ability to both give and receive support, as well as to contribute to and embrace development and innovation by external actors during ongoing wars. Furthermore, the Army must both develop and participate in exercises where civilian authorities, companies and voluntary organizations are integrated as a natural part of the war effort.
Together we are building a resilient Army – from units to companies and voluntary initiatives, from soldiers to society. The Army has all the conditions to shoulder its role in a modern total defense where all forces count!