The Arsenal – Swedish Defense Vehicle Museum is a vehicle museum in Strängnäs with lots of old defense vehicles from both Sweden and abroad. It is Scandinavia’s largest museum of its kind. If you are interested in military history, this is an excellent excursion destination. The Arsenal is located just outside Strängnäs near a small village called Härad. You can reach the museum by car via the E20 and take off at Trafikplats Härad. Free parking and plenty of spaces.
Prices and opening hours
Admission prices are SEK 100 for adults, SEK 80 for pensioners, SEK 50 for young people aged 12-17 and free for children aged 11 and younger. The opening hours are every day from 11:00 – 17:00 except Mondays and Tuesdays when it is closed. The museum is open all year round.
Vehicles
You will find military vehicles from the beginning of the 20th century to almost the present and it is an impressive collection of all possible types of vehicles used by the Swedish military. Some foreign vehicles are also found here, but the vast majority are from the Swedish Armed Forces.
T34
One of the most exciting vehicles for me was the Soviet World War II T34 tank. When you look at it up close, it is clear how raw it is built. It’s not exactly as fine tuned as a Rolls Royce, but only produced as quickly as possible during a burning war.
As can be seen from the interior, it was not built for comfort. There must have been a terrible inferno in there and then apart from the fact that there was war as well.
The closest Sweden has come to war is during various UN missions and there was a collection of vehicles used during these missions. Exciting to see even these up close.
Soldattorpet
In connection with the Arsenal, there are also some exhibitions about older soldiers and regiments as well as a replica of old soldiers’ crofts that could be visited. It is adjacent to the museum.
Overall, it was a very interesting collection and exhibition that I can recommend a visit if you are visiting the area.
Podcasts by Håkan Dahlström 