The S-363 crisis did not cause Sweden to join NATO in 1981. Confidence in Sweden's own military capabilities made the risks of continued neutrality acceptable at the time. The destroyers soon left service as resources shifted toward sea denial. By the time Sweden joined NATO, its security calculation had changed enough to justify trading some freedom of action for alliance support. Membership therefore follows a different assessment of threat and available help rather than a rejection of the earlier policy on principle.
Notable Point · 23:19-25:50
From armed neutrality to NATO membership
The 1981 crisis did not end Swedish neutrality. NATO membership came later, after Sweden's threat assessment changed and alliance support became worth some loss of strategic independence.