The Swedish island of Gotland is seen as central to control of the Baltic Sea, according to Swedish and Polish military officers. Joint exercises this week, Operation Gotland Sentry, are testing NATO’s readiness against a potential Russian threat.
• Quartermaster Oscar Hannus of the Swedish Navy described the island as “a huge aircraft carrier in the middle of the Baltic,” highlighting its strategic position.
• Forces from Sweden and Poland are training to coordinate land, sea, and air defence in case of conflict.
• Vice Admiral Krzysztof Jaworski of the Polish Navy stressed that securing Gotland is vital for every country in the region.
Just 300 km from Russia’s Baltic Fleet in Kaliningrad, the island is critical for protecting supply routes to the Baltic states. Sweden, now a NATO member since March 2024, has rearmed Gotland with missile systems and a reactivated regiment after years of demilitarisation.
Source: Reuters
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