During the last two decades the Swedish armed forces have undergone a huge transformation. In 2008, when Russia invaded Georgia, Sweden found itself in a new security situation. The aim is to identify similarities and differences from a rational choice perspective at the political level, regarding the abilities of ground based air defense during the two periods 2000 – 2007 and 2008 – 2015. By using theory based on rational choice, with basis from Graham Allison´s theory regarding the rational actor, indicators are created. With the use of indicators an analysis will be conducted regarding both periods. The results will later be compared in order to identify any similarities and differences, based upon the three perspectives threat – aim – decision. The material that is used is mainly based upon the political decisions regarding the Swedish armed forces made by the Swedish government. Apart from those, reports and analysis´s from the Swedish defense committee will be used in order to seek the motive for different decisions. The results show that there is mainly no major difference regarding threats between the two periods, the aims differ slightly. The decisions though differ with abandonment of systems, and investigations regarding purchasing new ground based air defense systems. The decisions based upon the security situation seems rational, the decisions based upon threat though seems non rational.