In many cases, a Swedish colonel had tasks that in other armed forces were performed by brigadier generals.

The motivation for the government not following the Supreme Commander's proposal in this respect was that it did not want to contribute to an increase in the number of generals and admirals in the Swedish Armed Forces.

[4] During the 1990s, the Swedish government raised the issue of introducing a rank for professional officers called brigadier general and flotilla admiral, respectively, and stated there, among other things, the following.

For a few years, the Swedish Armed Forces had in various ways announced that they wished to change the current rank level system for professional officers.

In 1999, the government stated that the said rank should now be introduced and intended to make changes to the bill (1994:642) with instructions for the Swedish Armed Forces and the Officers Ordinance (1994:882) with effect from 1 July 2000.

However, almost all officers in this rank do not command brigades, regiments or battalions; but take up senior tasks related to administration, staff, education, and planning.