[…] Sweden’s NATO deployment in Latvia coincided with NATO’s 2023 decision to strengthen its presence in the Baltic states and expand its multinational battlegroup in Latvia to brigade level from 2024. On Dec. 12, 2024, the Swedish Parliament approved long-term infantry battalion rotations in Latvia, sharing the commitment with 13 other NATO members.
The first rotation, commencing on Jan. 18, 2025, brought 550 troops from the 71st Mechanized Infantry Battalion, South Scanian Regiment. Soldiers equipped with CV90 infantry fighting vehicles, APC360 armored personnel carriers, and Stridsvagn 122 tanks formed a mechanized force. Some of the battalion’s elements remained in Sweden on high readiness. Sweden also provides staff officers to the brigade headquarters. […]
Another milestone for Sweden in NATO was the deployment of six JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets to Malbork Air Base, Poland, for its first participation in NATO’s Enhanced Air Policing mission. The two-month operation supported Baltic airspace surveillance, intercepting aircraft without flight plans or active transponders, and formed part of NATO’s integrated air and missile defense. It also contributed to securing arms shipments to Ukraine via Poland. Within weeks, Swedish jets intercepted a Russian IL-20 Coot signals intelligence aircraft. This is the first time a Swedish fighter division has operated from a foreign base under NATO command for surveillance.
Sweden, Finland, and Denmark continued joint air operations over the Baltic Sea, including an exercise where a joint Nordic Air Tasking Order coordinated a simulated strike on hostile forces in Swedish territory with Joint Tactical Air Controllers (JTACs). This is a key area where the Nordic countries could provide significant added value to Baltic JTAC training and cooperation, strengthening regional capabilities across the wider Nordic-Baltic area.
Sweden contributed a Södermanland-class submarine to the annual BALTOPS 25 exercise, which was led by NATO Allied Maritime Command. It involved 16 NATO members, over 50 ships, 25 aircraft, and 9,000 personnel. Under the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) framework, the Swedish Navy has monitored undersea infrastructure and tracked military shipments to the Baltic states. Sweden remains active in countering hybrid threats, reflected in a recent E.U. […]
As a new NATO member, Sweden has assumed a significant role in the security of the northeast region. Soon, Sweden will acquire a new role as the framework nation for NATO’s planned FLF in Finland (with contributing nations such as Denmark, France, Iceland, Norway, and the United Kingdom). This battlegroup will support deterrence and defense in the wider Nordic-Baltic area. Moreover, Finland’s 1,340km border with Russia adds strategic significance.
However, Sweden is confronted with the daunting task of expanding its manpower alongside technological modernization to meet these growing commitments. As of 2025, the Swedish Armed Forces include approximately 10,200 professional officers and 6,900 continuously serving group commanders, soldiers, and sailors. They are supported by 11,400 civilian employees, who play crucial roles in administrative, logistical, and technical support; 4,800 part-time group commanders, soldiers, and sailors; and 5,800 reserve officers. Läs artikel