Swedish air doctrine does not present the origin of its concepts, nor does it support these with theoretical claims. In addition to this, the Swedish air doctrine has not been tested in a real life conflict. Therefore, it is considered unverified. The aim of this paper is to ascertain the theoretical support for the doctrine. Using two contemporary theorists, namely John Warden and Shaun Clarke, the theoretical support for the doctrine is analyzed. This is achieved by studying two of the doctrine’s principal documents, Operativ Doktrin 14 and Reglemente: Taktik för luftoperationer, while applying a qualitative method. The thesis finds that the Swedish air doctrine has convincing theoretical support, without any evident difference in support between the two theories. Furthermore, none of the studied aspects of the doctrine are questioned by the theories. Although the study presented rather conclusive results, further research should be conducted in order to find support amongst other theories. The purpose would be to widen the theoretical scope as well as to further strengthen or question the support.

This study aims to test the strength of Shaun Clarkes air theory SPOT-bombing for small nations, to see if the theory could be of good use for all the small states around the world which are not able to master the capacity needed for large nation air theories. The British use of airpower during the Falkland war serves as case which is compared to the SPOT-bombing theory. The British task force, although much smaller than the Argentine military force, succeeded to win the war through extensive use of airpower. The studies analytic results reveal that the indicators taken from the air theory are not found to any greater extent in the British use of airpower during the war. Therefore this study is not able to strengthen or falsify Clarkes air theory as a whole, but reaches the conclusion that using unconventional methods are useful for a smaller state to get effect on strategic level against a larger opponent. Still, after this study there is more work to be done to test the relevance of the SPOT-bombing for small nations air theory, to be able to state if it is worth for small states to base their airpower doctrines upon it.