Vindeln Flygfält

The primary reason for closure was the strategic shift and downsizing of the Swedish Armed Forces following the end of the Cold War. The extensive and costly 'Bas 90' air base system, of which Fällfors was a key part, was decommissioned as the perceived threat of a large-scale invasion diminished. The base was deemed surplus to military requirements and was subsequently sold.

The former air base has been successfully repurposed for civilian industrial use. A large portion of the site is now a world-class automotive proving ground operated by the company **Arctic Falls**. They utilize the extensive runway system and facilities for vehicle, tire, and component testing, particularly specializing in winter conditions on snow and ice tracks. Additionally, the site is slated for a major green energy development. The Swedish company **Elementica** is planning to construct 'FlagshipONE Fällfors', a large-scale industrial plant for the production of green hydrogen and e-methanol, leveraging the site's robust infrastructure.

Vindeln Flygfält, more commonly known as Fällfors Air Base (Fällfors flygbas), was a significant and highly advanced military air base during the Cold War. It was constructed as part of the 'Bas 90' (Base 90) system, which was an evolution of the earlier 'Bas 60' concept. This system was a core part of Sweden's defensive strategy, designed to ensure the survivability and operational capability of the Swedish Air Force (Flygvapnet) in the event of a surprise attack. Key features and operations included:

- **Dispersal and Survivability:** The base was designed to disperse aircraft over a large area to avoid being destroyed on the ground. It featured a main runway, a shorter backup runway, and several pre-surveyed sections of nearby public roads that could be used as auxiliary runways.
- **Advanced Infrastructure:** It was one of the most modern Bas 90 bases, equipped with extensive underground command centers, hardened aircraft shelters, and numerous hidden dispersal sites in the surrounding forest for parking and servicing aircraft like the Saab 37 Viggen.
- **Wartime Role:** Its primary function was to serve as a wartime base for fighter squadrons from main wings such as F 4 Frösön, F 15 Söderhamn, or F 21 Luleå. It was built to sustain high-tempo operations independently for an extended period, even after a potential nuclear, biological, or chemical attack.

There are no known plans or realistic prospects for reopening Fällfors Air Base as an active airport for either military or civilian aviation. The site's infrastructure has been significantly adapted for its current role as an automotive proving ground, and the planned construction of a large-scale industrial plant further solidifies its new purpose. The strategic military need for this specific base has been eliminated, and its future is firmly rooted in industrial and green energy sectors.