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six years, a period he deemed sufficient for leaders in such a demanding role, citing the need for fresh leadership and new perspectives within the organization. In conclusion, Wiktorin's time as Sweden's
Supreme Commander was marked by significant changes in defence strategy and organization, as well as a shifting international security landscape. His leadership played a crucial role in shaping Sweden's response to these challenges, and he left a lasting impact on the country's defence policies and structures. Wiktorin retired on 30 June 2000.
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force. In retrospect, Wiktorin characterized his time as
Supreme Commander as turbulent and challenging, with both positive and frustrating moments. He expressed disappointment with the lack of political responsibility in shaping defence policy and the decision-making process. His tenure lasted over
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initially believed it could rapidly reclaim the country if faced with aggression, leading to significant cuts in defence capabilities. However, Wiktorin was skeptical of this strategy, recognizing the eroding state of former Soviet military power and the evolving nature of threats. He argued for a
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Another major challenge was the restructuring of Sweden's defence organizations, resulting in a unified defence force. During this period, Wiktorin highlighted the limitations of
European military capabilities and emphasized the need for Europe to develop a self-reliant defence strategy. Despite
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Owe
Wiktorin's tenure as Supreme Commander during the late 1990s and early 2000s was marked by significant challenges and changes in Sweden's defence landscape. At the outset, the end of the Cold War had shifted the global security paradigm, and Sweden had to adapt to a new, more uncertain
311:. Wiktorin highlighted the limitations of European military capabilities and the dependence on U.S. intervention in these conflicts. He stressed the need for Europe to develop a more self-reliant defence strategy to avoid over-reliance on American military support.
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facing budget cuts and economic pressures, Wiktorin remained committed to advancing Sweden's defence capabilities. His leadership left a lasting impact on the country's defence policies and structures, shaping its response to evolving security challenges.
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Wiktorin's push for defence modernization and his efforts to adapt to changing security realities faced numerous challenges, including further budget cuts and economic pressures. Despite these hurdles, he remained committed to his vision for a more
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brought both relief and concern. While the immediate threat from the East diminished, the unpredictability of potential future adversaries increased. One major issue during
Wiktorin's leadership was the question of Sweden's defence posture. The
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Another significant challenge was the restructuring of Sweden's defence organizations, which merged over a hundred different agencies into a unified defence force with a new budgeting system. This restructuring created the largest
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Royal
Swedish Academy of War Sciences: Swedish soldier's Society (until 1805), Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences: Biographical roll with portrait gallery from 1796-1995
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In 1965, Wiktorin married in Cajs Gårding (born 1943), the daughter of engineer Folke Gårding and Signe (née Domeij). Together they have two sons, Martin and Björn.
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Krigsvetenskapsakademien: Svenska krigsmanna sällskapet (till 1805), Kungl Krigsvetenskapsakademien : biografisk matrikel med porträttgalleri 1796-1995
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from 1 October 1984 to 1986. On 1 April 1986 he was promoted to major general and was appointed head of the
Planning Management in the Defence Staff as well as
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during the late 1990s and early 2000s. His tenure faced significant challenges due to the changing global security landscape following the end of the
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in 1961. 191.5 centimeters tall, Wiktorin was almost too tall for the fighter's cockpits, but he was accepted and trained as a pilot at the
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1070:[Torsten Mörner new chairman of the Swedish Association for Hunting and Wildlife Management after Owe Wiktorin] (in Swedish).
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230:(F 7) from 1964 to 1969 and attack squadron commander at Skaraborg Wing from 1969 to 1971. Wiktorin studied the higher course at the
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from 1979 to 1980. He was head of the
Planning Department at the Defence Staff from 1980 to 1983 and was deputy wing commander at
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From monetary policy to security policy: Central
Association of People and Defense's conference, Sälen 24 January 1999
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A changed world - a changed defense: Central Association of People and Defense's conference, Sälen 18 January 1998
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Från pengapolitik till säkerhetspolitik: Centralförbundet Folk och försvars konferens Sälen 24/1 1999
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On 2 October 1998, Wiktorin became honorary member number 20 of the Lund Academic Officer Society (
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more realistic approach and urged for a modernization of the Swedish Armed Forces.
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officer. Wiktorin had a distinguished military career, culminating in his role as
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Förändring, utveckling, nytänkande: Owe Wiktorin överbefälhavare 1994-2000
1022:(in Swedish). Lunds Akademiska Officerssällskap. 2 October 1998. p. 1
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Change, development, innovation: Owe Wiktorin Supreme Commander 1994-2000
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from 1961 to 1962 eventually becoming an officer in the
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690:] (in Swedish). Stockholm: Norstedt. p. 1190.
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Swedish Air Force Volunteers Association Medal of Merit
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and in 1992 he was appointed military commander of the
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military power. He pushed for the modernization of the
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Members of the Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences
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Swedish Air Force Volunteers Association Merit Badge
951:(in Swedish) (1). Stockholm: Flygstaben: 34. 1994.
914:(in Swedish) (2). Stockholm: Flygstaben: 39. 1992.
840:(in Swedish) (1). Stockholm: Flygstaben: 22. 1986.
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766:[Owe Wiktorin - our new Supreme Commander]
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261:On 1 July 1991 he became lieutenant general and
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774:(in Swedish) (3). Stockholm: Flygstaben: 6–7.
688:Who is it: Swedish biographical handbook. 1993
655:] (in Swedish). Stockholm: Försvarsmakten.
642:] (in Swedish). Stockholm: Försvarsmakten.
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317:networked and technologically advanced defence
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464:For Zealous and Devoted Service of the Realm
338:for outstanding work for the Swedish defence
683:Vem är det: svensk biografisk handbok. 1993
680:Uddling, Hans; Paabo, Katrin, eds. (1992).
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336:of the 12th size in gold with chain "
332:). On 6 June 2000 he was awarded the
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1066:Nilson-Dag, Christina (2007-05-07).
187:Wiktorin was born on 7 May 1940 in
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558:Order of the White Rose of Finland
232:Swedish Armed Forces Staff College
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1221:Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff
982:"Den motvillige överbefälhavaren"
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114:Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff
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155:(born 7 May 1940) is a retired
627:New requirements - new defense
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722:Mortensen, Per (2000-05-06).
240:Air Command and Staff College
764:"Owe Wiktorin - vĂĄr nye Ă–B"
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277:Tenure as Supreme Commander
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1117:"Owe Erik Axel Wiktorin"
623:Nya krav - nytt försvar
342:Svenska Jägareförbundet
868:"Ny försvarsstabschef"
647:Wiktorin, Owe (1998).
634:Wiktorin, Owe (1999).
621:Wiktorin, Owe (2000).
540:Order of the Dannebrog
446:H. M. The King's Medal
423:Awards and decorations
334:H. M. The King's Medal
305:Bosnia and Herzegovina
153:Owe Erik Axel Wiktorin
142:H. M. The King's Medal
41:Owe Erik Axel Wiktorin
1096:Royal Court of Sweden
1092:"Sök medaljförläning"
1046:Royal Court of Sweden
91:Years of service
986:Swedish Armed Forces
287:and the Soviet Union
173:Swedish Armed Forces
1213:Lars-Bertil Persson
1194:Article on Wiktorin
988:. 16 September 2021
556:Grand Cross of the
538:Grand Cross of the
411:Lieutenant general
387:Lieutenant colonel
292:Swedish government
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574:Commander of the
363:Second lieutenant
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85:Swedish Air Force
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1226:1986–1991
1077:2015-07-30
1072:Mynewsdesk
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324:Later life
207:Ljungbyhed
183:Early life
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38:Birth name
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252:Air Staff
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193:Askersund
94:1964–2000
1127:9 August
1051:21 March
738:28 April
165:Cold War
107:Commands
79:Service/
64:, Sweden
1101:21 July
1026:30 July
957:8257600
928:8257600
891:8257600
854:8257600
817:8257600
780:8257600
601:Honours
521:Foreign
428:Swedish
417:General
397:19?? –
393:Colonel
391:1983 –
385:19?? –
379:1975 –
375:Captain
373:19?? –
367:19?? –
361:1964 –
242:in the
150:General
102:General
1154:
1123:. 2001
955:
953:SELIBR
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887:SELIBR
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813:SELIBR
807:
778:
776:SELIBR
694:
610:(1985)
309:Kosovo
217:Career
189:Motala
169:Soviet
138:Awards
81:branch
73:Sweden
62:Motala
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381:Major
1231:None
1152:ISBN
1129:2020
1103:2016
1053:2013
1028:2015
994:2023
916:ISSN
879:ISSN
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740:2017
692:ISBN
307:and
99:Rank
46:Born
1014:PDF
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