Royal Army of Skandinavia

Kongelige Hæren av Skandinavia; Royal Army of Skandinavia
	Coat of Arms of the Hæren.
Founded	1951 (1509 as Danish Army)
Country	Skandinavia
Allegiance	Forsvaret av Skandinavia
Size	309,000 Professional men and women
Part of	Forsvaret
Commanders
KoHAE	Lt. General Erik Sköld
Øverstkommanderende; Commander-in-Chief	Frederik II

Kongelige Hæren av Skandinavia (Royal Army of Skandinavia), often abbreviated as Hæren, established in 1951, is the heir of the ancient armies of Denmark and Sweden, dating back to 1509. It is the branch of Forsvaret responsible for land-based military operations and is the largest branch of the armed forces. From 2001, the Hæren has undergone a massive transformation of structures, equipment and training methods, abandoning its traditional role of anti-invasion defence, and instead focusing on worldwide out of area operations.

Hæren currently has a professional strength of 309,000, and approximately 50,000 of the soldiers are foreigners who after an hard period of testing and adaptation are accepted in the service for a period of time that entitles them to citizenship.

Structure

Since the formation of Skandinavia, the military has been undergoing a process of integration and modernization not only in equipment but also in their structure and organization. In this process the Hæren has now a simple and effective organization that has an impact on improved effectiveness.

The major operational command is Hærens Hovedkvarter, HaeHV (Army Headquarters). It is located in Christiania and it is split into divisions and subordinate units ranging from brigades to sections. Corps are made up of two or more divisions, but are now unlikely to be deployed as a purely national formation due to the size of the 'Hæren.

There are four subordinated headquarters:

Hærens Hovedkvarter Skandinavia, HaeHV-SK, (Headquarters Skandinavia).
Hærens Hovedkvarter ArktiskArmy, HaeHV-AR, (Headquarters Arctic).
Hærens Reaksjonsstyrke Hovedkvarter, HaeHV-RS, (Reaction Force Headquarters).

The standard operational units are structured as follows, although various units can have their own structure, conventions, names and sizes.

Type of Unit	Symbol	Contains	Soldiers	Commanded by
Division	XX	3 - 4 Brigades + aux. Regiments	15120 - 20160	Major General
Brigade	X	6 Battalions	3024 - 5040	Brigade General
Regiment	III	3 Battalions	1512 - 2520	Colonel
Battalion	II	3 - 5 Companies	504 - 840	Colonel or Lieutenant Colonel
Company	I	3 Platoons	168	Major or Captain
Platoon	+++	4 Sections	56	Lieutenant or 2nd Lieutenant
Section	++	2 Squads	14	Sergeant Major or Sergeant
Squad	+	Individuals	7	Sergeant or Corporal

Ranks and insignias

See: Forsvaret ranks, insignias and uniforms

Organization

Given its dependence on Regional Army HQs:

Hærens Hovedkvarter Skandinavia, HaeHV-SK, Strømmen

(Scandinavia Headquarters)

1. Infanteridivisjon

Headquarters: (INF1-HQ ) Strømmen

2. Panserdivisjon

Headquarters: (ARM2-HQ) Lillehammer

3rd Infantry Division

Headquarters (INF3-HQ): Luleå

5. Panserdivisjon

Headquarters: (ARM5-HQ) Haderslev

10. Infanteridivisjon

Headquarters: (ARM10-HQ) Södertälje

Hærens Hovedkvarter Arktisk, HaeHV-AR, Bodø

(Arctic Headquarters)

4. Infanteridivisjon

Headquarters (INF4-HQ): Keflavik

6th Infanteridivisjon

Headquarters: (INF6-HQ ) Bodø

Hærens Reaksjonsstyrke Hovedkvarter, HaeHV-RS, Goteborg

(Rapid Reaction Force Headquarters)

7. Infanteridivisjon

Headquarters: (INF7-HQ ) Göteborg

8. Panserdivisjon

Headquarters: (ARM8-HQ) Kristiansand

9. Infanteridivisjon

Headquarters (ARM9-HQ): Arhus

Artillerihovedkvarter Skandinavia, ArtHV-SK, Växjö

(Artillery Headquarters Skandinavia)

11. Artilleridivisjon

Headquarters: (ART11-HQ ) Växjö

Integrated infantry equipment

Clothing and armour

Basic combat clothing has a full cut allowing free movement. Bellows pockets provide ample carrying capacity. The material (fabric) offers good mechanical properties but still allows good air permeability. The fibres (aramid/viscose FR) are flame- and wash-resistant.

The flak jacket accommodates:

Flexible ballistic protection
Hard ballistic protection
Electronic jacket
Load-bearing structure.

The electronic jacket integrates the electronics (computer unit, manager unit, radio, man-machine interface, GPS, cables and connector), flexible water bottle, Bofors Ak 5C magazines and grenades, and optimises weight distribution on the soldier.

The equipment is autonomous and can be used alone. The NRBC combat clothing is similar to permanent combat clothing. It is designed to allow combat phases to be carried out with the same efficiency as that achieved with conventional combat clothing.

Camouflage

Hæren have selected the Kermel V50 and VMC40 fabrics to equip its troops.

Portable electronic platform (PEP)

The PEP lies at the heart of the infantry combat system. Designed to utilise all the electronic resources found on the electronic jacket (computer, energy manager, peripheral equipment interfaces, user interfaces), The system is built around a USB 5.0. digital data bus. This choice of open broadband digital data bus and extensive connectivity gives the portable electronic platform, and hence the system, strong interoperability.

Individual energy sources

Peripheral equipment can be connected to the physical connection ports situated at the front of the battery units. Power sources will be made of two fuel cells, provided partially by NAtech group.

Weapons

Individual weapons

BOFORS AK 5C => Assault rifle
Heckler & Koch HK416 => Assault rifle
Heckler & Koch HK417 => Assault rifle
Heckler & Koch MP7 => Submachine gun
BOFORS CBJ-MS => Personal defence weapon
Barrett M82 => Sniper rifle
Accuracy International Arctic Warfare => Sniper rifle
FN Minimi => Light machine gun
BOFORS P-10 => Pistol
Sphinx 3000 => Pistol
Heckler & Koch USP => Pistol
M72 LAW => Grenade launcher
NLAW => Anti tank guided missile system
AT4 => Anti tank guided missile system

Crew weapons

M2 Browning => Machine gun
Carl-Gustaf M3 => Multi-role, man-portable shoulder-fired weapon
FGM-148 Javelin => Anti-tank missile
RBS 70 MANPADS => Man-portable air-defence system
81 KRH 71 Y Mortar

BOFORS AK 5C remain the infantryman’s basic weapon. FN Minimi and other weapons can accommodate a telescopic night sight with no need for changes.

BOFORS AK 5C accommodates a man-machine interface, a second grip and a telescopic sight. The sight is equipped with a day imager and a night imager (the infantryman’s sight will be light intensifying, and one soldier per squad will have a thermal sight: uncooled IR), a restitution eyepiece, a clear sight for instinctive shooting. The sight has an integrated video camera that transmits received images to the system. A wire connection links the weapon to the system.

TheFN Minimi sight uses similar technology to the BOFORS AK 5C IR sight. The sight supports man-machine interfaces and integrates resources for radio communication with the rest of the Félin system.

Precision rifle sight is based on the use of uncooled infrared sensors, combined with adapted magnifying optics. It also includes radio communication resources.

Helmet

The helmet is composed of three components: head protection, communication headset and optronic equipment. The ballistic shell optimises protection and load-bearing ergonomics (weight distribution). It can accommodate various items required for the mission (facial protection screens) and its shape is compatible with all firing positions of the weapons used.

A lightweight, integrated protective shield protects the infantryman from various threats (wind, rain, dust, UV). Non-linear earplugs afford auditory protection. The NBC mask can be equipped with a filter cartridge or linked to the ventilation powerpack. A tube built into the NBC mask can be used to take in liquids (water, food).

The communication headset is linked to the radio. It holds the microphone and earpiece and works by bone vibrations (bone conduction transducer). It works independently from the helmet and can therefore remain in operation when the helmet is removed.

The optronic equipment is composed of mission interface overshell integrating the optronics, head camera (EBCMOS light intensification technology), image display units (OLED technology) allowing data and icons transmitted on the bus system to be displayed, images and video coming from the weapon or the head camera. The image display unit is fixed to the helmet: its screen can be brought into line with infantryman's eye. When not in use, it can be folded away so as not to hinder the soldier.

Information network

The information network allows information to be shared throughout the infantry section. Each radio can subscribe to two networks simultaneously. This offers the squad leader some flexibility in organising communication networks in his section. Each network has an audio conference channel, with priority given to the squad leader, an alert channel from the infantryman to his leader, and a data transmission channel. Voice and data transmission is based on tried and tested satellite communication. Each sub-network works from a base carried by the squad leader. As information network sets are all identical, a soldier can replace his commander if necessary by configuring his set as base. The radio is configured by the soldier computer, thereby limiting the number of control buttons needed on the set.

Dismounted soldier’s Terminal Information System (TIS)

The TIS is made up of software supported by the computer, a man-machine interface and a communication interface box connected to a PR4G VS4 portable radio set.

Multipurpose infrared binoculars

Based on uncooled IR technology.

Transport/Carrying Case

The weapon and subsidiary systems are transported and stored in a Storm iM3220 plastic moulded carry case with foam cut-outs designed for each part.

Collective recharging unit (MRC)

Used to recharge the soldiers’ individual batteries. It uses hydrogen fuel cells manufactured by Natech.

Vehicle kits

Kits have a common structure and are designed for easy integration into modern vehicles, where they provide the power supply for the mounted soldiers’ systems.

Vehicles

Combat vehicles

Vehicle	Type	Place of origin	Status	Units (Ordered)
Kpv-122B	MBT	Skandinavia/Germany	Operative	340
Kpv-122C	MBT	Skandinavia/Germany	Operative	320
Future MBT	MBT		Selection
CV90	IFV	Skandinavia	Operative	1300
M113A3	APC	CAS	Stored	600
Pbv302	APC	Skandinavia	Stored	800
MT-LB	APC	Soviet Union	Stored	440
Sisu XA	APC	Finland	Operative	1100
MOWAG Piranha V	APC	Switzerland	Operative	300
SEP-W	APC	Skandinavia	Operative	600 (800)
SEP-T	APC	Skandinavia	Operative	400 (400)
Future Light APC	APC		Selection

General purpose vehicles

Vehicle	Type	Place of origin	Status	Units (Ordered)
Scania Defence Trucks	Diverse Trucks	Skandinavia
Land Rover Wolf	4WD Vehicle	UK	Operative	3500
URO Vamtac	4WD Vehicle	Spain	Operative	1800
RG-31 Nyala	4WD Vehicle	South Africa	Operative	600
Bv206S	Articulated AT Carrier	Skandinavia	Operative	400
BvS10	Articulated AT Carrier	Skandinavia	Operative	200 (300)
Volvo XC90	SUV	Skandinavia	Operative	180
Volvo XC60	SUV	Skandinavia	Operative	240
Motorcycles
Snowmobiles

Artillery

Vehicle	Type	Place of origin	Status	Units (Ordered)
Bofors L/70	AA	Skandinavia	Operative	600
NASAMS	AA	Skandinavia	Operative	80
RBS 23 BAMSE	AA	Skandinavia	Operative	160
ASRAD-R	AA	Skandinavia	Operative	240
M109 A3GN	SH	USA	Operative	80
ARCHER Artillery System	SA	Skandinavia	Operative	220
Haubits FH77	H	Skandinavia	Operative	440
OTO Melara Mod 56	H(Airmobile)	Italy	Operative	60
BcS20AS	SH	Skandinavia	Operative	80
RM-70	SH	Czech Republic	Operative	40

Aircraft

Vehicle	Type	Place of origin	Status	Units (Ordered)
Bell 412	Helicopter	Canada	Operative	56
NH90	Helicopter	France	Operative	132
Eurocopter EC725 Caracal	Helicopter	France	Operative	40
Cougar	Helicopter	France	Operative	92
Tiger	Atack Helic.	France	Operative	80