A Nation’s Ability to Fight a Modern War is as Good as its Technological Ability : A textual analysis on the contemporary challenges of hypersonic missiles and artificial intelligence on Sweden’s deterrence

Sammanfattning: Technological innovations such as hypersonic missiles and artificial intelligence represent a dynamic shift in contemporary warfare that invigorates new challenges for political and military decision-makers. The unprecedented and unpredictable speeds and trajectories of a hypersonic missile, in conjunction with the myriad of uncertainties affiliated with AI infiltration, reflect these challenges. An area that has incorporated limited academic research in the context of these systems is evident in Deterrence theory. This research aims to bridge the dearth of knowledge evident in how hypersonic missiles and artificial intelligence challenge Sweden’s deterrence and identify how effective Sweden’s current capabilities and credibility are in adhering to these threats. To achieve this aim, the research utilizes a textual analysis that incorporates empirical material gathered from Swedish reports and policy documents, a literature review, and semi-structured interviews conducted with experts with adequate knowledge in this field. This thesis has uncovered that despite its relatively small size, Sweden has to some extent, successfully developed unique systems and technologies to adhere to hypersonic missiles and AI threats.