An interesting and slightly scary report...but the reason I posted this was the footage of the three soldiers...the soldier closest to the camera seems to keep having problems with his rifle...anyone know whats going on there? No cookies | NT News
They're sacred of the Russians, and who wouldn't be? The guy having trouble with the rifle might just be green.
Sweden never kids around, especially with it's not so kind Eastern Neighbour Russia. I would be pretty surprised if Sweden joined Nato, it would take a Russian invasion of Sweden for that to change I believe. I think the weapon that soldier was struggling with is a HK 36, I don't know a lot about HK's quality but I've heard generally good reviews, it could be the practice rounds being used??
The most bizarre thing about Sweden currently is that having recently abolished conscription, it is now reintroducung it - wirth extension to women. Let us hope that the women will have the comonsense to stand up and not be counted.
Failure to eject. The blank cartridge is chambered, fires, the case is extracted, but is not properly ejected from the rifle. This is likely an issue due to the blanks being used (lower pressure? -- one of the military guys here can comment).
If you're using blanks in a semi or full auto weapon you need a "blank adapter" on the muzzle of the weapon in order to make it function. If you don't have it or it isn't working properly then you have to chamber each round individually. The adapter backs up enough of the blank's powder gas so that the weapon will function. By the way, is that a MG 42/MG 1 in that video?
I'm surprised they abolished it in the first place to be honest, Sweden can't let it's guard down, especially now with Putin bringing Russia back to a Soviet Union esque feel. As much as I agree women shoulsn't be drafted, or should fight at all (It's not that I don't think they're capable, I just don't want women to go through war), Sweden doesn't have much of a choice. Sweden has a population of about 10 million people, Russia has a population of about 145 million, Sweden has about 2.5 million able bodied men available for war, Russia has about 65 million able bodied men available........so yeah adding another few million women would be helpful in the event of war. I have no doubts thought that if Russia and Sweden went to war, Sweden could defend itself, with the help of Nato of course, but they could hold out on their own long enough for help to arrive.
