How Scotland has become crucial to Sweden’s defence
Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban announced that his country’s long standing feud with Sweden was over, removing the block for the Scandinavian nation to join Nato, the words he chose to use were telling.
Announcing a military deal that would see Hungary buy four Gripen planes from Sweden, Mr Orban said that while the two nations did not agree on everything, they were“prepared to die for each other”.
The announcement removes the final barrier for Sweden’s membership of the organisation, coming a month after Turkeyalso ended its disagreement with Sweden and removed its objection.
What is most note worthy here is that Mr Orban’s choice of language brings to the fore the very essence of the North Atlantic Treaty organisation–commonly known as Na to.
While inevitably a highly complex organisation, with varying aims including pledges such as consultations among Allies on security matters of common interest, the part of the treaty known as article five is what he is undoubtedly referring to.
Under the rule, if any member country is attacked, it is counted as an attack on Nato as a whole, meaning the might of 31 nations –includingtheuk–wouldstand together against the attacker.
Scotland’ s geographic location gives it a particularly important role in meeting defence and security objectives in the North Atlantic and the group of Nordiccountries known as the high North.
As part of a report published by Westminster’s Scottish Affairs Committee last year, a submission by the Ministry of Defence described Scotland’s proximity to the waters and skies above the North Atlantic is “of crucial importance to the UK, and Nato’s security”.
In a submission to the same report, Nicolas Jouan of research institute RAND Europe described Scotland as a “physical asset” to the UK “because it is a convenient launching platform for planes and ships, commercial or military, active in the region.”
Meanwhile, armed forces minister James Heappey, in refwhen erence to the potential implications of Scottish independence on Nato’s defence strategy, has said any movement off as lane or Lossiemouth bases would have huge implications for Nato.
“If we had to move the base for nuclear-powered and nuclear armed sub marines to a different geography… the whole of Nato would be incredibly concerned by the loss of that base,” he said.
Both Sweden and Finland had previously remained neutral, opting to stay out of the alliance, partly due to their proximity to Russia. However, that changed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Ukraine is not a member of Nato and as such, did not have Nato protection when it was invaded. Western allies have supplied some military equipment and air defence systems, but have not sent their own troops to fight on ukraine’ s side.
In recent days, there have, however, been discussions over some European Union countries potentially considering sending soldiers to support Ukraine. French president Emmanuel Macron said the idea “should not be rules out”, sparking opposition from many quarters.
The whole of Nato would be incredibly concerned by the loss of that base [Faslane] James Heappey