Swedish military plans ‘largest’ drills with NATO troops

The Swedish military has announced plans to hold its “first and largest” wargames in over 20 years, involving all of the country’s military branches along with forces from several NATO member states.

The drills, dubbed Aurora 17, are set to be carried out in September and designed to enhance Sweden’s defense capabilities and establish a “credible and visible” deterrent that would force any potential enemies “to carefully consider the risks of attacking our country,” said a statement by the Swedish Armed Forces, RT reported.

According to the statement, “Several other countries,” mostly members of the US-led NATO military alliance, were invited to take part in the maneuvers to enhance “Sweden’s defense capability against a larger, sophisticated opponent,” in an apparent reference to Russia.

Nearly 19,000 soldiers from Sweden’s all military branches are expected to participate in the drills, which will be carried out in the air, on land and at sea, the report added.

Military units from NATO member countries such as Denmark, Estonia, France, Lithuania, Norway and the US, as well as from non-aligned Finland, will also join the exercise, added the statement by the armed forces of Sweden, which is not a member of the military alliance itself.

According to the report, the major training areas for the maneuver will be in the southeastern Stockholm-Maelaren region and the Gothenburg area, as well as on and around the island of Gotland, near the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad.

The development comes as commander of the US army forces in Europe, Lieutenant General Ben Hodges, openly announced this week that Sweden’s increased military activity is in reaction to Russia’s growing “assertiveness.”

EA