As a consequence of its new membership in NATO, the Swedish government approved in March 2024 the construction of a reserve port on Gotland to accommodate both defense capabilities, including support from NATO. Briefly occupied by Russia in 1808 during the last Swedish–Russian war, and long considered a bastion in the Baltic Sea during the Cold War hosting a large Swedish military presence, Gotland's strategic importance has gradually risen since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and peaked with Russia's large–scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
"In 48 Stunden sind wir hier - aber im Zweifel auch schneller", sagt einer der britischen Fallschirmspringer.
Die Übung soll so realitätsnah wie möglich ablaufen. This all-encompassing strategy integrates military preparedness with civilian resilience to ensure the entire nation can withstand and respond to crises.
Control over this corridor would enable Russia to cut off Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia from NATO reinforcements, achieving a rapid strategic advantage.
What sets Sweden apart from many NATO allies is its implementation of the Totalförsvaret (Total Defense) concept.
"Aber die Mannschaft weiß, worauf sie sich eingelassen hat - und sie ist gut vorbereitet." Neben Minen sucht die "Datteln" inzwischen auch gezielt nach Sabotagespuren an Pipelines oder Stromkabeln. "Russland hat sich dadurch jetzt ganz offiziell mit der Schattenflotte in Verbindung gebracht", sagte Estlands Außenminister Margus Tsahkna.
Die Nato hat bereits Anfang des Jahres reagiert, die Mission "Baltic Sentry" ins Leben gerufen und ihre Präsenz auf der Ostsee verschärft - unter anderem durch den ständigen Minenabwehrverband 1.
Aber in dem Moment damals haben die Politiker die Entscheidung getroffen. Wer die Insel kontrolliert, hat Einfluss auf die Seewege, auch zu den baltischen Staaten. By embracing its new role as a protector of the Baltic, Sweden is not just defending its sovereignty—it is contributing to collective European security through its innovative and comprehensive defense strategies, such as deploying advanced military assets in Gotland and participating actively in NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence mission.
Wie kleine Stecknadeln fallen die britischen Fallschirmjäger vom Himmel auf die schwedische Ostseeinsel Gotland.
The reemergence of Gotland’s strategic significance is crucial to entrenching NATO alliance security. Sie hofften wohl auf eine friedliche Entwicklung im Ostseeraum, die nicht eingetreten ist", stellt Oberst Dan Rasmussen, Kommandeur des Gotland-Regiments, nüchtern fest.
Immer wieder wird die Nato daran erinnert, wie angreifbar sie auf der Ostsee ist.
Notable contributions include the Gripen fighter jets, renowned for their cost efficiency and advanced avionics, and the Archer artillery system, which combines mobility with precision targeting.
Through rapid military modernization and societal alignment, Sweden has transformed into a robust security partner for NATO and a cornerstone of Baltic defense.
These tanks compare favorably to the German Leopard 2A4 models used by many Baltic nations, offering superior targeting systems and enhanced armor protection, which are crucial for modern warfare. Brexit sei Dank. Additionally, the island has historically accommodated major areas of national interest as part of Sweden’s defense planning, including terrains such as the infamous Tofta firing range and Visby airport, as well as ports and naval training areas.
In another interview in March 2024, Edström highlighted the implications of Sweden’s military geography, including Gotland’s strategic location, on any future NATO defense planning process, while stressing the need for Nordic countries to develop a common defense concept in support of NATO’s operations.
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Die britischen Soldaten müssen ihre säuberlich abgehefteten Reisepässe aus den riesigen Fallschirmspringerrucksäcken kramen und sich in die Schlange vor dem Wagen einreihen.Nur wenige Stunden zuvor sind sie in Großbritannien gestartet. For instance, the Tofta shooting range covers approximately 2,700 hectares of land and serves as a resource platform for training exercises, military equipment, weapons, and reserve airports, while Visby airport has substantial military capacity for conducting exercises, training, transportation, and supporting civil society.
"Unsere Geräte sind eigentlich für Minenjagd gebaut", sagt Fiene. Key takeaways for Europe include:
Its strategic investments in modern weaponry, comprehensive defense systems, and societal readiness make it a model for resilience and preparedness.
As Europe navigates an increasingly uncertain geopolitical landscape, Sweden’s proactive stance demonstrates that even smaller nations can lead in securing peace and stability. Doch bevor die Soldaten im Wald verschwinden, um zum Zielort zu laufen, werden sie aufgehalten: Eine mobile Passkontrolle wurde eingerichtet.
Denn ohne Partner geht es nicht.
Unsere Alliierten haben Dinge, die wir noch nicht haben: Hubschrauber, Artillerie, Kampfflugzeuge.
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Nach Jahren der Demilitarisierung wird auf Gotland wieder aufgerüstet - auch das 2005 aufgelöste Gotland-Regiment wird Schritt für Schritt neu aufgebaut.
These submarines offer stealth, endurance, and the ability to launch torpedoes and other advanced munitions.
Beyond its geostrategic location in the Baltic Sea, Gotland also benefits from the nature of its geography.
Its military modernization, combined with its willingness to shoulder responsibility, positions Sweden as a de facto guardian of the Baltic region.
Key implications of Sweden’s NATO membership include:
This includes aligning defense reforms with societal resilience initiatives for greater national preparedness. Recent examples include joint military exercises such as BALTOPS and participation in NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence mission, demonstrating Sweden’s active role in regional defense efforts.
For similar regional strategies, read Poland’s Invitation to Slovakia for NATO’s East Shield Initiative.
Located just 200 kilometers from Russia's heavily militarized Kaliningrad enclave, Gotland’s strategic position makes it a linchpin for controlling the Baltic region.
Recent measures to fortify Gotland include:
Gotland’s defense systems play a critical role in mitigating the risk of potential Russian incursions and support NATO's capacity to reinforce its Baltic allies during a conflict.
Learn more about NATO’s regional efforts in The Suwalki Gap and Kaliningrad: NATO’s Breaking Point.
Ihre Ziele: Minen suchen - und Abschreckung.
These events prompted Sweden to reassess its defense priorities, leading to initial measures such as increased intelligence sharing with NATO and the reinstatement of military exercises in the Baltic region. "Aber sie helfen uns auch, Anomalien auf dem Meeresboden zu erkennen."
Erik Kockx, belgischer Kommandeur des Nato-Verbands, formuliert es schärfer: "Wir sind hier, um als Sicherheitskameras der Ostseeregion zu fungieren.
Russland könnte im Falle einer Eroberung von hier aus das Baltikum vom Rest der Nato abschneiden. Core elements include:
Sweden’s recent accession to NATO marks a historic shift from its traditional neutrality, highlighting the evolving relationship between NATO and Sweden.
With a robust modernization of its military and societal alignment behind defense reforms, Sweden is positioning itself as a critical defender of the Baltic region, evident in its strategic investments in Gotland’s defense and NATO integration efforts, reinforcing its Baltic defense strategy. The Swedish Armed Forces (Försvarsmakten) have evolved into a streamlined force equipped with advanced capabilities, designed to effectively deter aggression and respond to emerging threats, as evidenced by their recent investments in high-tech systems and training programs.
Carl–Johan Edström emphasized Gotland’s importance for the collective defense of NATO and pointed to ongoing plans as part of NATO’s defense operations to bolster air defense on the island.