Suddesjaur

Military strategic shift and economic reasons. The airfield was a 'Bas 90' military road base. With the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War, the direct military threat to Sweden was perceived to have drastically diminished. This led to major defense budget cuts and a strategic decision to dismantle the expensive and manpower-intensive air base dispersal system, as it was no longer considered a top priority.

The site is now a major commercial vehicle and tire testing facility. The former runway and associated aprons are leased to companies in the automotive industry, such as Icemakers AB. They use the long, straight tarmac and large open areas to create specialized ice and snow tracks for winter testing of cars, components, and tires. The location is ideal due to its remote nature and reliable cold climate. The former runway section remains part of the public road network (Road 918), but access is often restricted during the winter testing season. The site is a key part of the Arjeplog-Arvidsjaur automotive testing cluster, which is a world-leading destination for the industry.

Suddesjaur was a Swedish Air Force 'Bas 90' road airbase, also known as 'Flygbas 44'. Constructed in the late 1980s, it was one of the last and most modern bases in this advanced system. It was designed for the dispersal of combat aircraft, primarily the Saab 37 Viggen and the then-new JAS 39 Gripen, during a potential conflict. The core of the base was a specially widened and reinforced 2,500-meter section of public road that served as the main runway. It featured multiple prepared hardstands ('uppställningsplatser') hidden in the surrounding forest for parking and servicing aircraft, along with underground command centers and support infrastructure. The purpose was to ensure the Swedish Air Force could continue to operate even if its main airfields were destroyed. Due to its completion just as the Cold War was ending, the base was never fully utilized for its intended operational purpose before being decommissioned.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening Suddesjaur as an airport. Reactivating it for military use would require massive investment to meet modern standards and is not aligned with the current Swedish Air Force strategy, which focuses on a smaller number of consolidated main bases. A return to civilian aviation is also highly improbable due to its remote location and proximity to the established Arvidsjaur Airport (ESNX). Its current, economically significant role as a premier automotive testing facility makes any change in use extremely unlikely.