Modern Vikings
Naval Special Warfare Units in Northern Europe
by Hans-Christian Vortisch
Norden ("the North") is a modern descriptive term for the North of Europe, including the countries of the Scandinavian Peninsula (Norway and Sweden, and by extension, Denmark), but also Finland and even Iceland and the Danish and Norwegian possessions in the Atlantic (Greenland, Svalbard, and the Færøer islands).
These five countries share a close cultural and political history, down to the early Middle Ages, when bands of marine raiders and traders known as the norsemen ("people from the North") or Vikings lived in this area (see GURPS Vikings for much more detail on this).
Today, all of these countries with the exception of Iceland (which does not have a military force at all) have capable naval special warfare units. Those of Denmark and Sweden are described here in terms of their use with GURPS Special Ops; those of Finland and Norway may follow in a future article.
Both Denmark and Sweden still have the draft from age 18. While one of the units below is a professional force which only accepts longer-serving soldiers, the other is mainly composed of conscripts. Even though most draftees first finish their school education and thus enter the services around age 19, they are very young (similar to the U.S. Army Rangers), and may have received only a year or less of training; this is short if compared to most professional units, which often only take experienced soldiers and put them through a couple years of training. Entry standards ensure that all applicants have high physical and mental capabilities, but disadvantages such as Overconfidence may be more common in conscript units.
Strictly speaking, only the Danish FKP should be considered a special operations force; the Swedish Kustjägare are "only" an elite unit. The template of the latter doesn't use the Extremely Hazardous Duty disadvantage (p. SO56), but rather a -10 Duty, to account for the fact that unlike other special ops units, a conscript force is only called upon in wartime.
Nordic Military Ranks
Ranks in the Danish navy and Swedish amphibious corps. Also see pp. B22, SO52-54. Military Rank above 5 is unlikely in these units.
MR
Denmark
FKP
Sweden
KJ8
Admiral
General
8
Viceadmiral
Generallöjtnant
7
Kontreadmiral
Generalmajor
7
Flotilleadmiral
Brigadgeneral
6
Kommandør
Överste
5
Kommandørkaptajn
Överstelöjtnant
4
Orlogskaptajn
Major
4
Kaptajnløjtnant
Kapten
3
Premierløjtnant
-
3
Løjtnant
Löjtnant
3
-
Fänrik
2
Chef Sergent
-
2
Oversergent
Sergeant
1
Sergent
Överfurir
1
Værnepligtig Sergent
Furir
0
Korporal
Korpral
0
Menig
Menig
Denmark
Søværnet (The Sea Defense)
Frømandskorpset (The Frogman Corps)The Danish Frømandskorps (FKP) was formed in 1957 as part of the navy's Dykkerskole (diving school), in the image of the British Special Boat Service (p. SO45). The first instructors had received training from the U.S. Navy's Underwater Demolition Teams (p. W:HS13) and the Norwegian Froskemannskorps. In 1970, the combat swimmers became independent from the Dykkerskole and were reorganized as the Frømandskorps.
The FKP has exactly the same tasks as the U.S. Navy SEALs (pp. SO30-31), which include amphibious reconnaissance and sabotage, as well as counterterrorist operations in a maritime environment; this includes Denmark's many islands, but also her ferries and off-shore oil rigs and wind power stations. In peacetime, the unit also closely cooperates with law enforcement agencies, such as diving in search of missing persons or evidence.
Denmark has not been involved in conflict since World War II, and consequently, there were no combat missions for the FKP for a long time. During the Gulf War in 1991, the Danish navy helped to enforce the embargo against Iraq. FKP operators performed in a number of boarding actions, as they also did in the Adriatic Sea to enforce the embargo against Yugoslavia in the late 1990s. A number of operators were deployed together with members of the army's Jægerkorps to Afghanistan in January 2002, to work together with American and allied special ops units in the hunt for Al Qaida; operations were performed together with U.S., Norwegian, and Dutch units.
In order to join the FKP, the applicants have to pass a daunting entrance test, and need to voluntarily enlist for three years and three months (rather than the normal nine months of mandatory conscript service). They must be between 19 and 27 years old. Women may join, but so far none have been able to meet the requirements. Of several hundred applicants each year, only a handful makes it to Graduation Ball at the end of basic training. After six weeks of basic seamanship training at the navy's main training facility, the recruit enters the basic FKP training, which takes 32 weeks and includes a Hell Week (p. SO30) after the first four weeks. After that, the recruit may call himself a Frømand (frogman). About two years of special training in the patrols follow. Winter warfare is trained in Norway and Sweden, while jungle skills are taught in Latin America by SEAL instructors. Many operators also take the Combat Survival Instructor course and other advanced training offered by the British SAS (pp. SO42-43). By the time the 39-month-conscription is over, the soldier can reenlist, usually taking NCO-courses and serving as instructor.
Interestingly enough, the Danish Crown Prince Frederik joined the FKP in 1995, after already having received officer's training in the army. He also took part in a Sirius patrol (see below) in 2000.
The Frømandskorps enjoys close ties with the Swedish Kustjägare (below), and most NATO naval special warfare units, including the British SBS, the German Kampfschwimmerkompanie, the Norwegian Marinejegerkommando, and the U.S. Navy SEALs, particularly SEAL Teams 2 and 4. They are highly capable; several Danes came up on top of SEAL classes or the German Fernspäher course at the NATO LRRP-school in Weingarten.
Organization: The FKP comes under the 5th (Submarine) Squadron of the Danish navy, and is stationed at Kongsøre naval station near Holbæk (on Zealand). In peacetime, it has a strength of some 50 men, but with reserves called in, it has a combat strength of about 200 men in three squadrons, Blå (blue) consisting of combat swimmers with boats, Grøn (green) of amphibious raiders, and Sort (black) of counterterrorist operators in a maritime environment.
Template: Cost 150 points. A soldier serving in the Frømandskorps must take the Basic Skills below and choose a unit of assignment. NCOs or commissioned officers, and those who have received special training, will also have the appropriate Special Skills package(s), which will increase template cost.
Attributes: ST 11 [10], DX 13 [30], IQ 13 [30], HT 12 [20].
Advantages: Fit [5], Military Rank 1 [5], and 10 points in additional ST or HT, Desirable Advantages (p. SO51), Decorations (pp. SO51-52), Military Rank (pp. SO52-54) or Patrons (p. SO54).
Disadvantages: Extremely Hazardous Duty [-20], and -20 points selected from the Desirable Disadvantages list (p. SO56).
Basic Skills: Administration (M/A) IQ-2 [1/2]-11, Area Knowledge (Danish Coastline) (M/E) IQ-1 [1/2]-12, Armoury (Small Arms) (M/A) IQ-2 [1/2]-11, Boating (P/A) DX+1 [4]-14, Brawling (P/E) DX [1]-13, Camouflage (M/E) IQ [1]-13, Climbing (P/A) DX [2]-13, Demolition (M/A) IQ-1 [1]-12, Driving (Automobile) (P/A) DX-1 [1]-12, Electronics Operation (Comm) (M/A) IQ-1 [1]-12, Electronics Operation (Sensors) (M/A) IQ-1 [1]-12, Engineer (Combat) (M/H) IQ-2 [1]-11, Escape (P/H) DX-1 [2]-12, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (M/H) IQ-2 [1]-11, First Aid (M/E) IQ-1 [1/2]-12, Forward Observer (M/A) IQ-2 [1/2]-11, Gunner (Machine Gun) (P/A) DX-2 [1/2]-13*, Guns (Grenade Launcher) (P/E) DX-1 [1/2]-14*, Guns (LAW) (P/E) DX-1 [1/2]-14*, Guns (Light Auto) (P/E) DX [1]-15*, Guns (Pistol) (P/E) DX [1]-15*, Guns (Rifle) (P/E) DX [1]-15*, Hard-Hat Diving (M/A) IQ-2 [1/2]-11, Hiking (P/A) HT [2]-12, Jumping (P/E) DX [1]-13, Knife (P/E) DX-1 [1/2]-12, Language (Danish) (M/A) IQ [0]-13, Language (English) (M/A) IQ-2 [1/2]-11, Leadership (M/A) IQ-2 [1/2]-11, Navigation (M/H) IQ-2 [1]-11, NBC Warfare (M/A) IQ-1 [1]-12, No-Landing Extraction (M/A) IQ-2 [1/2]-11, Orienteering (M/A) IQ [2]-13, Parachuting (P/E) DX-1 [1/2]-12, Powerboat (P/A) DX-1 [1]-12, Savoir-Faire (Military) (M/E) IQ-1 [1/2]-12, Scrounging (M/E) IQ-1 [1/2]-12, Scuba (M/A) IQ+1 [4]-14, Seamanship (M/E) IQ [1]-13, Skiing (P/H) DX-2 [1]-11, Soldier (M/A) IQ [2]-13, Stealth (P/A) DX-1 [1]-12, Survival (Arctic) (M/A) IQ [2]-13, Survival (Island/Beach) (M/A) IQ [2]-13, Survival (Mountain) (M/A) IQ-2 [1/2]-11, Survival (Woodlands) (M/A) IQ-2 [1/2]-11, Swimming (P/E) DX+1 [2]-14, Tactics (Guerrilla) (M/H) IQ [4]-13, Tactics (Infantry) (M/H) IQ [4]-13, Telegraphy (M/E) IQ-1 [1/2]-12, Throwing (P/H) DX-1 [2]-12, Traps (M/A) IQ-1 [1]-12, Underwater Demolition (M/A) IQ-2 [1/2]-11.
* Includes +2 for IQ.1. MOS Skills: Members of FKP do not receive MOS-specific training, but each soldier has a specialty on the team. Spend a total of 16 1/2 points on a closely related group of Basic Skills or relevant new skills such as Intelligence Analysis (M/H), Photography (M/A), SIGINT Collection/Jamming (M/H), Surgery (M/VH), Traffic Analysis (M/H), etc. The MOS skills of other templates in GURPS Special Ops are common choices, but unorthodox specialties are also possible (GM's option).
2. Unit of Assignment:
- Black: Increase Climbing, Demolition, Guns (Light Auto), Guns (Pistol), Guns (Rifle), and NBC Warfare; add Guns (Shotgun) (P/E) and Tactics (Counterterrorist) (M/H).
- Blue: Increase Boating, Powerboat, Scuba, Swimming, and Underwater Demolition.
- Green: Increase Hiking, Orienteering, Stealth, and Survival (Woodlands).
Slædepatrulje Sirius
"This summer Erik sailed away to colonize the land he had discovered, calling it Greenland, for he maintained that men would be much more eager to go there if the land had an attractive name."
--Eiríks Saga Rauða ("The Saga of Erik the Red")The arctic island of Greenland has been an official part of Denmark since 1953, but had already been a Danish colony from 1721 (taking over claims dating back to Viking times). The huge, largely uninhabited landmass is permanently covered with ice and snow, except for a few thin strips along the south coast where some small settlements are located. In order to put up a semblance of military presence in the vast north of the island, the Danish navy mounts regular dog sled patrols there -- the Slædepatrulje Sirius (sled patrol Sirius), or Patruljetjenesten i Nord- og Nordøstgrønland (PNG -- patrol service in North and Northeastern Greenland), based at the small Værløse airport on the east coast. Although sponsored by the navy, any suitable male NCO or officer (active or reserve) between 20 and 30 years can apply for the Slædepatrulje. Most come from the FKP and the army's Jægerkorps. They receive six months of special training. In addition to military tasks, the patrols also serve as law enforcement assets as well as park rangers; the entire north of Greenland is one big national park.
Each patrol spends four months at a time on patrol, and consists of two men, 11 dogs, and a 1,000-lb. sled. Each day, a patrol travels 15-18 miles in six to eight hours. In the evening, notes and observations are sent to Denmark via satellite link. Due to their special operational requirements, the patrols are armed with a bolt-action rifle less susceptible to the adverse weather conditions of Greenland. The obsolete Winchester G M/53 (originally designed at Enfield and made in the USA as the M1917, stats below) is used; it is considered reasonably effective against polar bears. For the same reasons, the Glock 20 pistol (p. HT109) is issued.
Special Skills:
Commissioned Officer ** (+2 1/2 points): Increase Administration to IQ-1 [1]-12, Language (English) to IQ-1 [1]-12, and Leadership to IQ [2]-13. Since all officers are career soldiers, they will usually have more points to spend.
Desert Operations (+2 1/2 points): Increase Orienteering to 14 [2]; add Survival (Desert) (M/A) IQ-2 [1/2]-11.
Foreign Language (n/a): The Danish military offers only language tutoring in Arabic and Russian; neither course is normally available to members of the FKP. Members from the German minority will also speak German at IQ-level; those from Greenland may also speak Inuit. A second or third language is studied at high school, French, German, and Spanish being common.
Jungle Operations (+2 1/2 points): Increase Orienteering to 14 [2]; add Survival (Jungle) (M/A) IQ-2 [1/2]-11.
NCO** (+1 1/2 point): Increase Leadership to 13 [1 1/2]. Since all higher NCOs are career soldiers, they will usually have more points to spend.
Slædepatrulje Sirius (+8 1/2 points): Increase First Aid to 13 [1/2], Orienteering to 14 [2], Skiing to 12 [2], Survival (Arctic) to 14 [2], and Telegraphy to 13 [1/2]; add Meteorology (M/A) IQ-2 [1/2]-11 and Teamster (Dogs) (M/A) IQ-1 [1]-12.
** Military Rank [5/level] is required: Rank 1-2 for NCOs, Rank 3 for warrant officers and Rank 3+ for commissioned officers.
Customization Notes: In a 150-point campaign, there will be no points left after purchasing this template; another -20 points in Acceptable Disadvantages (pp. SO56-57) and five quirks can be taken to get 25 points to customize with.
Weapons of Choice: Weapons include the SIG P M/49 pistol (P210, stats below); S&W Model 60 Chief's Special revolver (p. SO114); H&K P11 underwater dart pistol (p. MF19); H&K Mp M/85 submachine gun (MP5A3, pp. HT116, SO117) with Sure-Fire tactical light (p. MF12) and Aimpoint collimating sight (p. MF13); H&K Mp M/85LD sound-suppressed submachine gun (MP5SD3, pp. HT116, SO117), often with 4× scope; H&K Mp M/85 assault carbine (HK53A5, p. SO114); Diemaco Kb M/96OP assault carbine (C8SFW, pp. MF27, SO116) with ELCAN scope (p. MF13); Diemaco G M/95OP assault rifle (C7FT, p. MF22) with ELCAN scope; H&K Fsg M/85 rifle (PSG1, p. HT115) with 6× scope; KAC Fsg M/99 rifle (SR-25, pp. MF25, SO120) with 10× scope; McMillan Model 88 single-shot rifle (p. SO116) with 10× scope; Remington Model 870PS Wingmaster pump-action shotgun (p. HT112) with folding stock; H&K Mg M/85 LMG (HK23E, used both with belt-feed and the optional magazine adapter, stats below; compare HK21A1, p. HT120); Diemaco M203A1 underbarrel grenade launcher (pp. HT121, SO121, mounted under both the Kb M/96OP and G M/95OP); SM Hgr M/01 fragmentation hand grenade (HG 85, p. MF32); Precision Ordnance Model 452 Stingball less-than-lethal grenade (p. MF32); Bofors Pvv M/95 LAW (AT4CSHP, p. SO117); and FFV Dykn M/85 recoilless rifle (M3 Carl Gustaf, p. SO117) with 2× scope. Knives include the SOG SEAL 2000, a large knife with Fine blade.
Equipment: Equipment includes the Pro-Tec helmet (p. SO103); CGF Gallet Hj M/96 kevlar helmet (PD 4, DR 5 for areas 3-4 and back of 5, 2.6 lbs.); Fv M/92 kevlar vest (PD 2, DR 12 for areas 9-10, 17-18, 5 lbs.) with optional ceramic insert (PD 4, DR 35 for areas 9-10, 17-18 from the front only, 12 lbs.); Dräger LAR-V rebreather (p. SO111); Trelleborg Viking Pro 1000 dry suit; and Litton AN/AVS-6 ANVIS night vision goggles (p. SO110).
Vehicles: Support vehicles include the Mercedes-Benz MB 240GD 4×4 light truck (p. SO123); McDonnell Douglas MD 500M Defender helicopter (pp. SO123, VL61-62); Sikorsky S-61 Sea King helicopter; Westland Lynx Mk 91 helicopter; Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport aircraft (p. SO125); RIB boat (pp. SO126-127); Zodiac inflatable boat (p. SO126); and Klepper kayak (p. SO126).
Sweden
Svenska Marinen (The Swedish Navy)
Kustjägarna (The Coastal Rangers)-- Mod, Kraft, Spänst (courage, strength, vitality)
Modern Longship: The Stridsbåt 90H
This 53-foot vessel, internationally marketed as the Combat Boat 90, was specifically designed for amphibious combat in the Swedish archipelago. Its shallow draft, hydrojet propulsion, heavy armament, reinforced bottom to withstand rough landings, and forward bow hatch make it perfect for shoreline assault. The aluminum-hulled craft is armed with twin fixed 12.7×99mm FN-Browning TKsp machine guns (M2QCB, pp. HT119, SO121, and VL57) in the bow, and also features a ring mount above the cabin, which is fitted with either another heavy machine gun, or twin 7.62×51mm FN Ksp58B machine guns (MAG, pp. HT120, VL57) or a 40×53mmSR Saco Grsp grenade machine gun (MK19 MOD 3, pp. HT121, SO121, and VL57). Rails on the aft deck can take sea mines. The skipper, navigator, and section-leader have seats on the bridge. The engineer/gunner mans the weapon(s) installed at the ring mount amidships. The 1,100-cf main cabin accommodates 20 men plus their equipment. Further cargo is stowed in the bow or on the tarpaulin-covered aft deck. A passageway leads from the cabin to the assault hatch in the bow.
Each company of KJ has eight of these at its primary means of transportation.
Variants of this boat have been delivered to Estonia, Greece, Malaysia, Mexico, and Norway (there known as the S90N).
All components are TL7. The Strb90H burns 32.6 gallons of diesel per hour at routine usage. Fuel and 2,000 rounds of 12.7×99mm ammo cost $1,713.
Subassemblies: Body +5, Open Mount 1 [Body:T] -1, Open Mount 2 [Body:T] +1.
P&P: 2× 466-kW standard diesel engines, 4× 4,032-kWs lead-acid batteries, 2× 466-kWs hydrojets.
Fuel: 594.45 gallons (Fire 8).
Occupancy: 3 RCS, 21 RS. Cargo: 500 cf.
Armor
F
RL
B
T
U
All:
3/5
3/5
3/5
3/5
4/20
Weaponry
2× 12.7mm Browning TKsp [Body:F] (400 ready each). Linked.
12.7mm Browning TKsp [OM2:F] (100 ready).
6× 800-lb. hardpoints for sea mines [Body:T].
Equipment
Body: 1,100 rounds of 12.7mm ammo as cargo; fire extinguisher system (in engine compartment); mini computer (Complexity 2) with Computer Navigation and 1-gig Database (maps); computer terminal; 30-mile radio with scrambler; military global positioning system; and navigation instruments. Open Mount 1: 55-mile navigation radar with no targeting and surface option (Scan 21).
Statistics
Size: 53'×13'×4' Payload: 7.92 tons. Lwt.: 18.64 tons (normal), 22.55 tons (max)
Volume: 2,832.5 cf. Maint.: 34.5 hours. Price: $550,000.
HT: 12. HP: 2,250 OM1: 28 OM2: 200.
wSpeed: 20 (40 if Lwt. below 18.64 tons) wAccel: 5 wDecel: 2(5) wMR: 0.1 wSR: 5
Draft: 2.6Design Notes
Body is medium, standard, with fine lines. Area is 1,500 sf. Armor is expensive, metal. Empty weight was raised from designed 27,140.96 lbs. to real-life 29,260 lbs. Cost was raised from designed $336,501.70 to real-life $550,000.
The Kustjägare (KJ), officially formed in 1959, are part of the Amfibieförband (amphibious units) which in turn belong to the Kustartilleri (coastal artillery), a branch of the Swedish navy. All KJ battalions come under the 1st Amfibieregiment (Amf1). They are similar to the U.S. Marine Corps (p. SO32), their missions including reconnaissance operations along the very long Swedish coastline, amphibious raids against high value targets, and counterattacks against invading enemies. The Swedish coast is very difficult to protect and includes numerous small islands, which they KJ are trained to take back in case of a hostile landing. They are trained in more aggressive combat than most other Swedish units, including extensive close-combat training and sabotage. From their ranks also come the longer-serving Attackdykare (A-dyk -- attack divers), which are similar to Force Recon (p. SO29); they conduct beach recon, hydrographical surveys, small-scale raids, and sabotage.
Conscripts serve either 10 or 15 months with the KJ -- those serving 10 months are trained for section-level jobs, those serving 15 months are trained as low-ranking NCOs (Rank 0-1) to serve at platoon-level. Women are exempted from conscription, but may voluntarily enlist to either serve a conscript term (about 2% of all conscripts are women) or to become a professional officer (3%). However, no woman has so far been able to meet the requirements of the entrance tests.
Interestingly enough, Prince Carl Phillip served his conscript term with the KJ in 1999/2000.
Organization: Each of the six battalions in Amf1 consists of five companies: one HQ company including the Spaningpluton (reconnaissance platoon) -- a combat diver/LRRP platoon of Attackdykarna -- and an air defense platoon with two Bofors Rbs70 shoulder-fired SAM launchers; one heavy weapons company with sea mines and six Rockwell-Bofors Rbs17 HELLFIRE anti-shipping missile launchers (p. VL59); one mortar company with eight 81mm Tampella-IMI Grk84 mortars (use stats of the M29, p. HT121); and two companies of KJ. Each KJ company has 183 men, divided into a HQ platoon and three platoons. Each platoon has three sections; each section has two 6-man patrols. The Spaningpluton has three to four 6-man patrols. Battalion-level vehicles include 35 Strb90H assault boats (below) and 19 Klepper kayaks.
Template: 100 points. A soldier serving with the Kustjägare must take the Basic Skills below and choose a basic MOS. NCOs or commissioned officers, and those who have received special training, will also have the appropriate Special Skills package(s), which will increase template cost.
Attributes: ST 11 [10], DX 13 [30], IQ 13 [30], HT 11 [10].
Advantages: Fit [5], and 10 points in additional ST or HT, Desirable Advantages (p. SO51), Decorations (pp. SO51-52), Military Rank (pp. SO52-54) or Patrons (p. SO54).
Disadvantages: Duty [-10], and -20 points selected from the Desirable Disadvantages list (p. SO56).
Basic Skills: Armoury (Small Arms) (M/A) IQ-1 [1]-12, Area Knowledge (Swedish Coastline) (M/E) IQ-1 [1/2]-12, Boating (P/A) DX [2]-13, Brawling (P/E) DX [1]-13, Camouflage (M/E) IQ-1 [1/2]-12, Climbing (P/A) DX-1 [1]-12, Driving (Automobile) (P/A) DX-1 [1]-12, First Aid (M/E) IQ-1 [1/2]-12, Guns (Light Auto) (P/E) (M/A) IQ-2 [1/2]-14*, Guns (Rifle) (P/E) DX-1 [1/2]-14*, Hiking (P/A) HT [2]-11, Jumping (P/E) DX-1 [1/2]-12, Knife (P/E) DX [1]-13, Language (English) (M/A) IQ-1 [1]-12, Language (Swedish) (M/A) IQ [0]-13, NBC Warfare (M/A) IQ-1 [1]-12, Orienteering (M/A) IQ [2]-13, Savoir-Faire (Military) (M/E) IQ-1 [1/2]-12, Seamanship (M/A) IQ-1 [1]-12, Skiing (P/H) DX-2 [1]-11, Soldier (M/A) IQ-1 [1]-12, Stealth (P/A) DX-1 [1]-12, Survival (Arctic) (M/A) IQ-1 [1]-12, Survival (Island/Beach) (M/A) IQ-1 [1]-12, Survival (Woodland) (M/A) IQ-1 [1]-12, Swimming (P/E) DX [1]-13, Tactics (Infantry) (M/H) IQ-3 [1/2]-10, Throwing (P/H) DX-2 [1]-11.
* Includes +2 for IQ.Section-Level MOS Skills: Choose an MOS, and then spend a total of 8 1/2 points on them as follows: All skills that appear as Basic Skills (above) must be increased by at least one skill level. Any spare points should be put into other Basic Skills.
- Assistance Section Leader: Increase Tactics (Infantry); add Administration (M/A) and Leadership (M/A).
- Combat Diver: Increase Boating, Stealth, and Swimming; add Scuba (M/A).
- Communications: Add Electronics Operation (Comm) (M/A) and Telegraphy (M/E).
- Courier/Sniper: Increase Camouflage, Guns (Rifle), Orienteering, and Stealth; add Navigation (M/H) and Powerboat (P/A).
- Demolition: Add Demolition (M/A), Engineer (Combat) (M/H), Explosive Ordnance Disposal (M/H), and Traps (M/A).
- Forward Observer: Increase Camouflage and Stealth; add Forward Observer (M/A), Electronics Operation (Comm) (M/A), and Electronics Operation (Sensors) (M/A).
- Heavy Support Weapons: Add Guns (LAW) (P/E) and Gunner (ATGM) (P/A) or Gunner (Grenade Launcher) (P/A).
- Light Support Weapons: Increase Guns (Light Auto) (P/E) or add Guns (Grenade Launcher) (P/E).
- Machine Gunner: Increase Guns (Light Auto) (P/E) and add Gunner (MG) (P/A).
- Medic: Increase First Aid.
Special Skills:
Commissioned Officer ** (+6 points): Add Administration (M/A) IQ [2]-13 and Leadership (M/A) IQ+1 [4]-14.
NCO ** (+3 points): Add Administration (M/A) IQ-1 [1]-12 and Leadership (M/A) IQ [2]-13.
** Military Rank [5/level] is required: Rank 1-2 for NCOs, Rank 3 for warrant officers and Rank 3+ for commissioned officers.
Customization Notes: Spend your remaining points (50 points, in a 150-point campaign, or no points in a 100-point campaign) to customize your character. Another -20 points in Acceptable Disadvantages (pp. SO56-57) and five quirks can be taken to get a further 25 points.
Weapons of Choice: Weapons include the Glock P88 pistol (Glock 17, p. HT109); FFV Ak5 assault rifle, FFV Ak5B assault rifle with SUSAT 4× scope and IR targeting laser (pp. HT103, MF12-13), Bofors Ak5C assault rifle with P-rail (p. MF11) for a Simrad KDN50 3.5× night vision scope (p. MF14), Bofors Ak5D assault carbine (all variants of the Belgian FN FNC, see "Designer's Notes for GURPS Modern Firepower," stats below, some of them fitted with Sure-Fire tactical lights, p. MF12, or 90-round MWG drum magazines, AWt 3.6); Accuracy International Psg90 bolt-action sniper rifle (modified AW, p. MF24) with 10× scope; Barrett Ag90B sniper rifle (variant of the Model 82A1, p. HT115, stats below) with 10× scope; Remington Model 870PS Wingmaster pump-action shotgun (p. HT112); FN Ksp90 LMG (MINIMI, p. HT120); FN Ksp90B LMG (MINIMI-Para, see "Designer's Notes for GURPS Modern Firepower," stats below); FN Ksp58B GPMG (MAG, p. HT120); FN-Browning TKsp HMG (M2QCB, pp. HT119, SO121, and W97) with Våpensmia reflex sight (p. MF13); Titanite Shgr2000 hand grenade (stats below); Colt M203 underbarrel grenade launcher (pp. HT121, SO121); Milkor Grg revolver launcher (MGL MK1, p. HT121) with Armson reflex sight (p. MF13); Saco Grsp grenade machine gun (MK19 MOD 3, pp. HT121, SO121) with Våpensmia reflex sight; FFV Pskott86 LAW (AT4, p. SO117); FFV Grg48C recoilless rifle (M2 Carl Gustaf, p. HT122) with 2× scope; FFV Grg86 recoilless rifle (M3 Carl Gustaf, p. SO117) with 2× scope; and Bofors Rbs56 BILL ATGM launcher.
Equipment: Equipment includes the NP Aerospace Hj90 kevlar helmet (PD 4, DR 6 for area 3-4 and back of 5, 3.1 lbs.); Åkers Krutbruk Ks94 kevlar vest (PD 2, DR 5 for areas 9-11, 17-18, 8.8 lbs.) with optional ceramic plates (PD 4, DR 35 for areas 9-11, 17-18, 22 lbs.); AGA Oxydive rebreather (3 hrs 20 min, 28.6 lbs., p. SO111); Trelleborg Viking Pro 1000 dry suit; and Simrad GN1 night vision goggles (p. SO110).
Vehicles: Support vehicles include the Agusta Hkp15 helicopter (A 109M, p. SO124); Kawasaki Hkp4C helicopter (licensed Boeing CH-46 Sea Knight); Lockheed Tp84 transport aircraft (C-130H Hercules, p. SO125); Dockstarvet Strb90H assault boat (see BOX); Marine Alutech G-båt section boat; Klepper kayak (p. SO126); and a single Mala-class swimmer delivery vehicle.
Adventure Seeds
Direct Action in Afghanistan: FKP Report on Operations in Afghanistan (Unclassified):
"Some 30 operators from the FKP were sent to Afghanistan and worked there as part of Joint Special Operations Task Force South, based in Camp Rhino near Khandahar. Late in February 2002, they took part in a mission to capture the Taliban governor Mullah Khairullah Khairkhwa. An USAF RQ-1A Predator drone had reported that he had left his stronghold in a convoy; after putting together a plan in only half an hour, an assault team consisting of SEALs and Danes boarded an AFSOC MH-53M Pave LowIII helicopter, escorted by an U.S. Army AH-64D Apache gunship. Thirty minutes later, it was all over; the team had interdicted his convoy and taken him alive."
The Royals: The Swedish Crown Princess has decided to be the first woman to make it through KJ training. The PCs could include fellow volunteers (or her bodyguards) struggling through the training together with her, instructors teaching either a hard-working woman with her own head or a spoiled child, or the princess herself.
Suddenly, a crisis develops in the Baltic Sea, and the KJ are ordered to re-take a small island. Will the princess excel in the mission? Who rescues her and the remnants of her patrol after being trapped and captured by the enemy?
Note: In the real world, neither Kronprincessan Victoria nor her sister Princessan Madeleine has so far shown any inclination to join the military; on the other hand, all the male members of the Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish royal families have served.
Weapon Tables
Pistols use Guns/TL (Pistol)
Name
Malf
Type
Damage
SS
Acc
1/2D
Max
Wt
AWt
RoF
Shots
ST
Rcl
Hold
Cost
TL
SIG P M/49, 9×19mm
ver
Cr
2d+2
10
3
150
1,850
2.4
0.4
3~
8+1
9
-1
-1
$2,100
7
Rifles use Guns/TL (Rifle) for single shots, Guns/TL (Light Auto) for burst-fire
Name
Malf
Type
Damage
SS
Acc
1/2D
Max
Wt
AWt
RoF
Shots
ST
Rcl
Hold
Cost
TL
Barrett Ag90B, 12.7×99mm
crit
Cr
11d+2+
15
11+3
1,500
6,800
35.2
3.5
1
10+1
13B
-2
-8
$7,200
7
Bofors Ak5D, 5.56×45mm
crit
Cr
4d(1.25)
10
8
400
2,500
8.4
1
11*
30+1
9
-1
-4
$1,550
7
FFV Ak5, 5.56×45mm
crit
Cr
5d(1.25)
12
11
800
3,500
9.7
1
11*
30+1
9
-1
-5
$1,450
7
FFV Ak5B, 5.56×45mm
crit
Cr
5d(1.25)
12
11+2
800
3,500
11.9
1
11*
30+1
9
-1
-5
$2,200
7
Winchester G M/53, .30-06
ver
Cr
7d+1
14
11
1,000
4,700
9.3
0.3
1/2
5+1
11
-3
-7
-
6
Machine Guns use Guns/TL (Light Auto) for burst-fire, Guns/TL (Rifle) for single shots
Name
Malf
Type
Damage
SS
Acc
1/2D
Max
Wt
AWt
RoF
Shots
ST
Rcl
Hold
Cost
TL
FN Ksp90B, 5.56×45mm
crit
Cr
5d(1.25)
14
8
500
3,200
21.7
7
12
200
11B
-1
-6
$4,000
7
H&K Mg M/85, 5.56×45mm
crit
Cr
5d(1.25)
17
11
800
3,500
26.3
7
13**
200
11B
-1
-7
$2,350
7
Hand Grenades use Throwing
Name
Malf
Type
Damage
Wt
Fuse
Hold
Cost
TL
Titanite Shgr2000
crit
Exp.
3d+1 [3d]
0.8
4 seconds
0
$25
7
Sources
General
- Katz, Samuel. The Illustrated Guide to the World's Top Counter-Terrorist Forces (Concord, 1997). Includes some material on the FKP.
- Katz, Samuel. The Illustrated Guide to the World's Top Naval Special Warfare Forces (Concord, 2000). Quite some detail and good photos, including of the Stridsbåt 90H. Reasonably accurate.
- Southby-Tailyour, Ewen. Jane's Amphibious and Special Forces (Jane's, 2002). Quite detailed coverage, but not entirely up-to-date and unreliable concerning foreign language terms.
- Scandinavian Special Operations Forces:: A general overview with some pictures. Bad spelling. http://www.specialoperations.com/Foreign/Miscellaneous/Scandinavia.htm
Frømandskorpset
- Frømandskorpset (FVR, 1993). Official recruiting booklet. In Danish.
- Skaarenborg, Jacob. Danske Specialstyrker (Tøjhusmuseet, 1994). Nice booklet covering selection, training, and equipment of all Danish special operations forces. In Danish.
- Svendstorp, Sjak. Frømandskorpset (MeMeMedia, 2001). Based on interviews with actual members. Mainly historical anecdotes, but some nice photos. In Danish.
- Frømandskorpset: Good detail on selection, training, and operational use. In Danish. -- http://www.sok.dk/pr/svnori/snvort00/svnort200/fkp.htm
- Danish Special Operations Forces: Good link collection. Only the front page is in English, the linked pages are in Danish. -- http://www.geocities.com/dk_special_operations_forces/dk-sof-us.html
Kustjägarna
- Debay, Ives and Hill, James. "Sweden's Coastal Defense Elite." In: Special Ops -- Journal of the Elite Forces & SWAT Units, Issue 13 (Concord, 2001), pp. 28-43. Reasonably detailed article with many good photos.
- SoldF -- Svenska Försvarsmaktens vapen, fordon och utrustning: Very nice site covering the Swedish military and her equipment in much detail. Also features a good forum. In Swedish. -- http://www.soldf.com/
- Kustjägarna: Covers the KJ and their equipment and training. In Swedish. -- http://www.surfasnabbt.nu/kj/index.html
- Kustjägarna: Covers the KJ and their equipment and training. In Swedish. -- http://user.tninet.se/~huv222o/
- Swedish Weapons: Depicts all small arms in use with the KJ, including the twin MG mount on the Strb90H. In English. -- http://home.swipnet.se/~w-52089/marine/wpns.htm
- Stridsbåt 90H: Pictures and specifications. In English. -- http://www.naval-technology.com/contractors/patrol/dockstavaret/index.html
- Stridsbåt 90H: Pictures and specifications. In English. -- http://www.student.nada.kth.se/~d94-pek/sboat.html
- Stridsbåt 90H: Plans and pictures of the interior. In English. -- http://home.swipnet.se/laurell/cb90/fmv_plans.html
* * *
Special thanks to Calle Dybedahl, Sami Hyypiä, Peter Knutsen, Kenneth Peters, and the Hellions.
Article publication date: March 7, 2003
Copyright © 2003 by Steve Jackson Games. All rights reserved. Pyramid subscribers are permitted to read this article online, or download it and print out a single hardcopy for personal use. Copying this text to any other online system or BBS, or making more than one hardcopy, is strictly prohibited. So please don't. And if you encounter copies of this article elsewhere on the web, please report it to webmaster@sjgames.com.