National Ambitions and International Reality : Swedish armed forces financial and organizational conditions and responses to the diffusion of military innovation 2014-2022

Abstract: In this thesis an analysis of the impact major military innovations (MMI), their introduction and diffusion has had on Sweden in light of the recent moves to join NATO. Stealth aircraft has been studied in particular as an example of a MMI that has diffused in Sweden’s neighboring area and whether and how it has impacted Sweden’s foreign policy alignment. Sweden’s possibilities of internal pursuit of MMI’s has also been studied using the variables of financial and organizational capital. The findings of the thesis is that it can be said that the diffusion of stealth aircraft could be considered to have had a degree of impact on Sweden's decision to join NATO, but that it should be viewed as one of several factors informing such a major shift in foreign policy.