Karlis Neretnieks, a retired major general and the former president of Sweden's National Defence College, was pleased with the news.

"I am extremely happy about this decision. The Armed Forces have had really big problems recruiting enough people on a volunteer basis," he told The Local.

"We'll be able to call on these former conscripts and then carry out exercises with full units - resulting in a more efficient and higher level of training."

He added that the move was a positive signal for the Swedish public.

"The environment in the Baltic states and the Baltic Sea is getting a bit nasty, a bit unpleasant, and this move is a good signal to show that the Swedish government has reacted to the developments," he said.

"It's also a good signal to our neighbours that Sweden is concerned. People in countries like Poland, for example, have complained that Sweden hasn't seemed to be reacting to what's been going on."

Neretnieks added that Thursday's announcement was interesting from a political perspective with a fresh set of elections looming in March.



Swedish Armed Forces train in Stockholm. Photo: TT

"Voters are concerned about the state of the Armed Forces and this government is showing that it's taking defence seriously compared to the last government," he explained.

Indeed, around 65 percent of Swedes quizzed by the Aftonbladet newspaper said they thought the refresher courses were a good idea.

The only problem, the retired major general concluded, is that the courses will be costly - but he added that it would be money well spent.

"We can only hope that the move will be followed up by an allocation of funds. Otherwise it's nothing more than a symbolic gesture."