The battlegroup’s core consisted of a mechanised light infantry battalion numbering some 1,500 soldiers. Depending on the nature of the mission, additional resources could have been brought in to reinforce the battalion including, for example, combat aircraft and special forces units. In all, the Nordic Battlegroup consisted of around 2,800 soldiers. Sweden contributed about 2,300, Finland about 200, Norway about 150, Ireland about 80 and Estonia about 50. For the strategic and military command aspects we worked with the United Kingdom.
Support for the battalion
Sweden led the Nordic Battlegroup and was chiefly responsible for the core unit, the mechanised infantry battalion. The other countries contributed mainly to the support and logistic functions. To support the battalion, a framework of resources including, for example, logistics, artillery, air defence and intelligence units, was added. In addition there were other strategic and operational resources which could be brought in as required, such as combat aircraft, naval units and special forces units.
No mission
Being a member of a unit on standby means not knowing when, where, or even whether, a mission will come up. For the Nordic Battlegroup there was no mission. That is, of course, no bad thing. The force has fulfilled its undertaking: to be at the disposal of the EU for the first six months of 2008. For a year or more the soldiers of the Nordic Battlegroup have trained, exercised and remained constantly at readiness, for many of them can expect to serve on international missions in Kosovo or Afghanistan.