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DN’s report on the restart of the I 21 regiment in Sollefteå sparks reactions from Riksdag defense politicians. The municipality wants the old area of the regiment with its buildings to be used, while the Armed Forces want to build a new one. This would mean that the training of soldiers in Sollefteå could take several to several years.
– The discussion is over. Politics has decided that this regiment should be operational by 2022. So it is obvious that it is the existing infrastructure that is in place, and that it is the fastest and most effective alternative, says Allan Widman of the Liberals.
Liberals, like the center, negotiated the defense decision with the S-MP government in the fall.
– We chose Sollefteå because we knew the infrastructure was still there and there were environmental permits for the shooting range. Precisely because they would shoot you very fast. The experience of building a new one, as for the Gotland regiment, is that it takes infinite time and costs a great deal of money, says Allan Widman, who adds:
– The most important thing in the defense decision is not to build houses, but to produce military units.
Defense politicians of the Center Party Daniel Bäckström, who visited Sollefteå, agrees.
– It is important to get started quickly with education. Then it is much easier to enter previously used premises and find solutions. It should be the main focus, rather than blocking long construction plans that cost more, says Daniel Bäckström.
– There is a lot of infrastructure in Sollefteå that is important to take advantage of. It doesn’t take a lot of effort to make it appropriate for today’s needs. We will have a long-term perspective on Sollefteå and then that infrastructure is crucial to build, says Daniel Bäckström. He adds:
– I hope that our state authorities will do everything possible to have a local collaboration with the municipality and private actors. With the aim of finding opportunities to do this in the most profitable and qualitative way possible.
Sweden Democrats Defense politician Roger Richthoff says it was he who on the Defense Committee proposed the reinstatement in Sollefteå.
– I’m so amazed. Of course, you have to start with the existing infrastructure and use it. Listen to the municipality to be the best it can be, and trade in privately owned properties if necessary !, says Roger Richthoff.
During the spring, the Swedish Armed Forces and the Swedish Fortifications Agency will convene the Defense Committee to report on the new establishments, says its president Pål Jonson (M).
– We have said that the development of security policy deteriorates over time and an armed attack cannot be ruled out. That is why it is important that the new regiments are in place. So it seems more profitable and rational to use existing facilities, rather than building new ones, says Pål Jonson.
DN has also sought out Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist (S).
Read more: The military is retreating, but there is great disagreement on how to proceed
