The transformation among armed forces in Europe is a consequence due to shifted security perspective and the growth of international security actors, such as NATO and the EU. Sweden has played an active role in EU to ensure its influence in forming the security policy for the organisation. Some studies mean it´s because of Sweden’s interest in strengthen EUs roll as a security actor they transformed their own armed forces to be able to take part in international operations. This transformation led to what can be called “the Swedish defence dismantle” and some studies mean that it has led to the point where Sweden completely lacks the ability to defence themselves.
The question is if the ambition to become an active member in these security organisations can explain all the decisions made throughout the Swedish defence-transformation, or if some decisions were made due to other factors?
By studying the decision process leading up to the decision to locate the flight education to Malmen in Linköping this study seeks to answer why the decision was made. The study also seeks to understand if the decision was made based on rational reasoning or due to a battle between different interests?
This study shows that the decision was made because it was the only option left after that the decision process had been ruined by a battle between different interests. The decision can´t be seen as a direct consequence of Sweden’s ambition to transform its armed forces to become an interesting partner in the security organisations.