A disused railway in Swedish Lapland could soon return to life as part of the country’s new defence strategy. The 75km Arvidsjaur–Jörn line, closed in the late 1990s after being deemed unprofitable, is now being reassessed by the Swedish government. Infrastructure authority Trafikverket has begun clearing vegetation and checking the condition of the tracks, with the goal of bringing the line back to operational standards. What makes the project different from the past is its purpose. Sweden, which joined NATO in 2024, is increasingly focused on strengthening mobility for both its own forces and those of the alliance. The remote landscapes of Lapland, with limited infrastructure and vast distances, are seen as critical in any future security scenario. Railways offer advantages over roads: they can carry heavy loads, operate in extreme weather, and provide faster, more reliable supply routes. The initiative reflects a broader European trend. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, military mobility has returned to the centre of defence planning. The European Union has launched projects to adapt existing rail networks to military needs, with the aim of moving troops and equipment more efficiently across borders. Sweden’s northern railway revival fits into this context, offering NATO an additional transport corridor in the High North. Yet the decision is not without challenges. Restoring a line abandoned for 25 years requires substantial investment, including inspections of bridges, tunnels, and signalling systems. Critics warn that it could become an expensive “white elephant,” particularly if used only for military purposes. Others see it as an opportunity to revitalise local economies by improving civilian and tourist connections in an area that has suffered from declining state presence. Beyond the practical debate lies a symbolic dimension: reopening a forgotten railway highlights the renewed strategic importance of territories once considered peripheral. For Sweden, the line could become more than a transport link—it may serve as a reminder that, in today’s Europe, railways are once again central to both mobility and defence.
