SWEDEN TO REINFORCE ISAF MISSION AND DEPLOY C-130 TO

UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000248 SIPDIS E.O. 12958:N/A TAGS: ECON EFIN ELAB AF SW SUBJECT: SWEDEN TO REINFORCE ISAF MISSION AND DEPLOY C-130 TO AFGHANISTAN Summary -------------- ¶1. On April 3, the Ministry of Defense announced a strengthening of its ISAF mission to Afghanistan by 40 troops. Additionally, the military will deploy a C-130 for operations in Afghanistan from May to September. End Summary. Strengthening ISAF Mission -------------- ¶2. On April 3, the Ministry of Defense announced Sweden will increase its 375 troops in Mazar-i-Sharif by 40. (Note: Sweden plans to increase total troop levels to 500 by the end of 2009. End note.) A MoD official told Post that the 40 troops should be operative by late April. The increase is to improve the PRT's ability to guard, escort and patrol the PRT's four provinces leading up to and during the August elections. Deploying the C-130 -------------- ¶3. On April 8, the Swedish Armed Forces announced plans to deploy a C-130 for ISAF use, including a 20 person detail. The C-130 should be operative by May 15 and the unit is planning for 80 flight hours monthly until the mission ends in mid-September. The C-130 will be available for ISAF use throughout Afghanistan, but the Swedish military retains the ability to opt-out of missions if it deems the threat level too high.