Färila Air Base

Military strategic realignment. The closure was a direct consequence of the end of the Cold War and the subsequent major restructuring of the Swedish Armed Forces. The extensive and costly Bas 90 wartime dispersal base system, of which Färila was a part, was deemed no longer necessary in the new European security environment.

The site has been fully demilitarized and sold to civilian entities. A large portion of the former air base, including the main runway and associated taxiways, has been converted into the 'Mittsverigebanan' (Mid-Sweden Circuit). This is a popular venue for motor racing, track days, and advanced driver training. Other areas of the expansive former base are used for forestry and some light industrial or storage purposes. While the runway's outline is still clearly visible from the air, the site is no longer used for any aviation activities.

Färila Air Base, officially designated Krigsflygfält 42 (Wartime Airfield 42), was a critical component of Sweden's unique Cold War-era 'Bas 60' and later upgraded 'Bas 90' air base systems. Its primary role was to serve as a dispersed operating base for the Swedish Air Force, designed to ensure the survivability of air assets in the event of a surprise attack on main air bases. It primarily supported squadrons from the nearby F 15 Söderhamn Air Wing. In a crisis, combat aircraft such as the Saab 32 Lansen, Saab 35 Draken, and later the Saab 37 Viggen would have deployed to Färila. The base was engineered for resilience, featuring a main 2,000+ meter runway, multiple shorter auxiliary runways (often integrated with public roads), and numerous camouflaged aircraft hardstands and support facilities hidden in the surrounding forest.

There are no known plans or realistic prospects for reopening Färila Air Base for aviation purposes. The original military strategic need has vanished, its command structure (F 15 Wing) no longer exists, and the infrastructure has been significantly and permanently repurposed for motorsports. The financial cost and lack of any commercial or military demand make its reactivation as an airport highly improbable.