Sweden and Netherlands seek long-range strike capabilities

The Netherlands is seeking an alternative for the Tomahawk missile (seen being launched from the USS Stethem destroyer off the California coast). (US Navy)

Sweden and the Netherlands are seeking long-range strike capabilities. The Swedish Armed Forces submitted a report to its government on 24 November listing these capabilities as one of their priorities, while Dutch State Secretary of Defence Gijs Tuinman called at the Netherlands Industries for Defence & Security (NIDV) Exhibition Defence & Security (NEDS) held in Rotterdam on 20 November for industry to deliver an alternative to the Tomahawk cruise missile.

The Swedish Armed Forces report said, “Enhancement of strike capability consists of investments in long-range fires and unmanned platforms. The ability to conduct strikes at strategic depth contributes to deterrence and enables, among other things, the degradation of an adversary's critical infrastructure and military installations. The long range also makes it possible to reach more targets, complicating the opponent's ability to effectively protect all important assets.

“The distribution between different types of strike systems requires further analysis and a balance between effect, cost, quantity, and innovation before choices are made. Strike capability is further strengthened through the procurement of various types of munitions, such as artillery and mortar ammunition, navy-specific ammunition, and combat engineering ammunition.”

A Swedish Ministry of Defence spokesperson told Janes on 26 November that the long-range fires referred to in the report would have the ability to strike targets at distances beyond the reach of artillery at a strategic depth up to approximately 2,000 km.

At NEDS, Tuinman challenged industry to “deliver an alternative to Tomahawk within three months, a precise deep-strike capability with a 100 kg payload [by] a missile that can be launched at a target 1,000 km away”.