AFTONBLADET REVEALS: Defence Radio accident – had to give orders for private … – Aftonbladet

Defence communication system crashed in the middle of a prestigious exercise with 15,000 people.

In order to resolve the situation forced soldiers and officers to use private mobile phones, according to a major who participated.

“the worst I have experienced in my 23 years in the brigade headquarters,” writes Major in a furious letter to Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist.

two weeks in late February were 15,000 people for a major defense exercise in Norway.

from the Swedish Armed Forces participated 2000 Swedish soldiers and officers, and practiced in an Arctic climate. “Probably the biggest challenge that you may be asked for during an exercise,” according to the Armed Forces’ own description.

Got to use the cell phone

But according to a detailed letter sent to Secretary of Defense Peter Hultqvist (S) did not exercise at all as it was intended. The sender, a reserve major who participated in the exercise, writes that the communication typically used did not work, which meant that participants had to use their own mobile phones.

“Without mobile phones brigade had not solved the consolidated data. Every time my brigade chief was forced to use the mobile phone to be able to lead the brigade, I saw how bad he thought it was and, unfortunately, he had to do it numerous times. “

Aftonbladet has been in contact with the major, who did not want to comment contents of the letter further. Another participant, who wishes to remain anonymous, confirmed the information.

– The communication system was not working for some Swedish unit, said the participant.

Discussed high-level

The reason to the accident should have been that there were too few systems in place and that it was moving at too great a distance. The participant said that the matter is now being discussed at high levels in the Armed Forces. Many see the breakdown as very serious because the communication system is commonly used to encrypt information, something that ordinary cell phones do not.

The Major concluded the letter with the words: “It is very frustrating for a person who has given 41 years of his life in defense service, sometimes with their lives, to have to experience this. “

Aftonbladet has been in contact with several of the Armed Forces, and some who were involved in the exercise, both employees of the communications Department.

“does not comment”

Those who attended the exercise would not comment citing confidentiality. Employees of the communications department says that they know the letter but nobody wants to tell me something about the case.

“The Armed Forces do not comment on the contents of a letter which is addressed to the Minister of Defence and the Ministry of Defense” writes press officer Philip Simon in an email.

the case is now an administrator at the Ministry of Defence. Peter Hultqvist press secretary Marinette Nyh Radebo asks to come back when there is a written reply to the Major.