Sweden Holds Baltic Defence Exercise

Swedish and allied troops on Gotland Island during Exercise Aurora 26 | Photo: Swedish Armed Forces

Sweden is conducting the multinational military exercise Aurora 26 from April 27 to May 13, focusing on the reinforcement and defence of Gotland and the Baltic Sea region alongside NATO allies and Ukraine. The exercise involves around 18,000 personnel from 12 allied nations and Ukraine and is Sweden’s first Aurora exercise as a fully integrated NATO member.

The exercise is intended to rehearse Sweden’s operational plans within NATO’s collective defence framework. Swedish, Danish, American, British and Ukrainian forces are participating in operations centred on the movement and reinforcement of troops and equipment to Gotland, which Sweden considers strategically important for the defence of the Baltic Sea region.

According to the Swedish Armed Forces, more than 1,000 soldiers were deployed to Gotland during the final stages of the exercise. Allied contributions include air defence systems, logistics units, infantry forces and Ukrainian drone teams. Ukrainian participation is focused on sharing operational experience related to drone warfare and defence tactics developed during the war with Russia.

Rear Admiral Jonas Wikström, exercise director of Aurora 26, said the movement of forces was a key part of the exercise.

“An important piece of the puzzle for our collective defence is ensuring that units arrive in the right place, at the right time, and with the right capability,” said Rear Admiral Jonas Wikström, exercise director of Aurora 26.

The exercise also tested Sweden’s ability to support allied troop movements and logistics across its territory and to Gotland.

“Moving Allied soldiers, materiel, and vehicles across Sweden and over to Gotland has validated Sweden’s ability to provide support to the Alliance and to enhance the collective defence of NATO,” said Rear Admiral Jonas Wikström.

The exercise is taking place amid continued security concerns in Europe linked to Russia’s war against Ukraine and increased NATO military coordination in the Baltic region.