A railway line in Sweden is causing headache for NATO (Image: Getty)
A huge 250-mile railroad running through Sweden that is over one hundred years old has been thrust into the limelight after the Nordic country joined NATO.
The Iron Ore Line linking Narvik on the northern coast of Norway to the port city of Lulea on the Swedish Baltic shore has been a vital route for iron ore exports since before the Second World War.
In fact, it was the only route for which Swedish iron ore exports passed through during this time, providing Nazi Germany with nearly half of its steel.
During the war, the route caused major headache for Winston Churchill, who wanted to cut off the line by invading Sweden and bombing Lulea.
Today, it is essential for transporting consumer goods, mail, seafood, and passenger traffic.
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It also remains vital for the mining companies in northern Sweden as a transit route for iron ore products.
Now, it has been thrown into the spotlight once again amid concerns the Russian war in Ukraine could spill over into NATO territory.
Officials say it could provide a vital transit route for troops and military equipment in any such event.
However, there are concerns as the line has experienced continued delays over the last 15 years due to poor maintenance and a shortage of trains.
According to Per-Ove Norell, the Swedish military’s head of transport, this could be particularly concern given the lack of other transport routes in rural parts of northern Sweden.
Region Norrbotten, a self-governing administrative region which the line passes through, said in a statement: “The lack of capacity is a major problem here and now, while necessary investments are years away. While waiting for increased capacity, one must look for new solutions.”
Swedish infrastructure Andreas Carlson, has said: “It is not only an interest for Sweden and Swedish industry: it is very important for NATO’s ability in this part of Europe.”
Norway, Sweden, and Finland have already agreed to set up a military transport corridor in the north as they scramble for additional options.
Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said in a press conference: We can cooperate to defend each other in a completely new way now that we are all in NATO.
“Previously, we have thought north-south when we have planned the transport of military personnel and equipment. Now, we will also think west-east.”
But for now, the Iron Ore line will remain a vital option, and industry figures are calling for urgent upgrades.
Catharina Elmsäter-Svärd, the country’s former minister of Infrastructure, said: “The Iron Ore Line, the entire stretch from port to port, is an important part of the Swedish infrastructure.
Finland, Sweden and Norway have recently joined NATO and could be dragged into a potential conflict (Image: Getty)
“Sweden’s competitiveness and industries’ need for export and import should not depend on a fragile railway line. Considering Sweden’s current situation, not least as a NATO member, the Iron Ore Line’s functions will become even more important.”
It remains a single-track line and industry figures have long called for a second track to be added.
Sweden may even have no choice but to progress with major upgrades given NATO member states are required to develop their individual and collective capacity to fend off an armed attack.
Thomas Ekström, a military logistics expert at the Swedish Defence University, told Swedish Television (SVT):“The importance of transport from west to east will increase quite considerably.
“Our transport systems and energy supply systems need to be resilient. Is it an example of a resilient system if it takes two months to get the Ore Line up and running again?”
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