Even as Sweden prepares to join NATO, Sweden’s air force has a problem. Its most experienced fighter pilots are quitting.
“In the fall, around half of the Swedish Armed Forces’ fighter pilots may take leave or resign altogether,” the Swedish broadcaster SVT reported in July.
One problem is a change to the retirement system, according to the trade union representing the pilots.
“In the past, pilots have been able to retire at the age of 55,” Jesper Tengroth, a spokesman for the Swedish Association of Military Officers, told Insider. “But for those born in 1988 or later, the retirement age was raised a few years ago to 67, without any compensation.”