Adapting the Swedish Armed Forces medical services to meet new challenges

The land battle today is different from that of 20 years ago. It now occurs over vast areas, the fluid battlefield. Tanks have undergone important changes (cross-country capability, improved armor, and more lethal weapons). The combat units contain armored personnel carriers, providing protection for the soldier. The weapon effects on armored vehicle personnel are well studied and include ballistic, blast, thermal, and toxic injury. However, casualty statistics for armored units are not extensively reported. The public acceptance of casualties, especially in peacekeeping operations, today is much lower than in the past. A study by the Swedish Armed Forces has identified the need for a new organizational structure. Casualties will be picked up on the battlefield by armored medical evacuation vehicles and transported directly to the battalion aid station. The training level of all medical personnel must be increased, using battlefield-related trauma courses and making better use of existing resources in the form of qualified medical practitioners.