Some 9,000 NATO Troops and Several Tanks Arrive In Sweden

NATO’s newest member, Sweden, has been hosting US Marines and Polish soldiers for exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2024. The mainly maritimefocused exercise takes place every year in the Baltic region. This part of the exercise took place on land on the Swedish archipelago of Gotland. Overall, more than 20 NATO Allies, including 50 ships and dozens of aircraft, participated in BALTOPS. This year was particularly notable as it marked Sweden’s first participation as a full NATO member. BALTOPS allows Allies to practise collective deterrence and defence at sea. The Baltic Sea region is crucial to protect because of its trade and energy routes. The exercise is led by US Naval Forces EuropeAfrica and the US Sixth Fleet. Command and control is carried out by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO).