When I was in Norway the big thing was not to violate Sweden?s airspace. ?They will take it as act of war and launch their fighters after you!? I understand that you should not violate a countries? airspace but to call it an act of war is a bit strong. What were/are the Swedes scared of a massive invasion from Norway? ?Let?s go to war against Sweden but first another Ole or two before we venture off. Sir the Army is off for a three day weekend can we reschedule for next month??
I suppose this was during the Cold War, and then it'd be a little more understandable. The Swedes were formally neutral for the whole cold war, and while a freak Norwegian F-16 in Swedish airspace might not be an attack on Sweden, it might be the beginning of an attack on the Soviet Union.
In reality, though, I find it a little far fetched. I don't think they'd shoot down a Norwegian F-16 (and while they had numerical advantage by a mile, they might struggle a little bit against the RNOAF), but it might lead to some discreet diplomatic notices, depending on circumstance.
More importantly, Sweden had one of the largest fighter forces in the world during ie. the 60s, and there was a reason for it. While formally neutral, it was expected that the Swedes would cover USAF and RAF strategic bombing runs toward Kola and the Baltics, they'd be as involved if war actually came as we would. Our defensive plans from this era rest on two strategic allies; the Royal Marines and the US Marines; and the Sweedes holding Northern Sweden. Then we could maintain an orderly, slow strategic retreat down to southern Troms, blowing up bridges, houses, hospitals and other infrastructure as we went along, the Swedish keeping the eastern flank secure, and wait for reinforcements. Would it work? Who knows. I don't think anyone really does.
Anyhow, depending on circumstance, a military flight over Sweden might have gotten shot down in those days, but I doubt it. Must have been extreme circumstances at the very least.