Sweden announced that it will deploy military and coast guard assets to support NATO’s efforts to secure the Baltic Sea amid concerns about sabotage of underwater infrastructure.
This marks Sweden’s first deployment of armed forces in a NATO mission since becoming a member of the alliance in March 2024.
During the annual Folk och Försvar (People and Defense) conference on Sunday, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said the Swedish government would send up to three warships, an ASC 890 reconnaissance aircraft, and four coast guard ships for monitoring operations, with an additional seven vessels on standby.
The move comes after a series of suspected sabotage incidents in the Baltic Sea, including damage to ten undersea cables since 2023.
A recent case on Christmas Day involved the Estlink 2 power cable, which transfers electricity between Finland and Estonia. Finnish authorities linked the damage to the Eagle S, a ship suspected of being part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” used for sanctions evasion and covert operations.
In response to these threats, NATO has increased its military presence in the Baltic Sea, focusing on protecting critical infrastructure like undersea cables and pipelines that are essential for regional trade and energy supply.
Kristersson underscored Sweden’s commitment to protecting its own interests and contributing to NATO’s collective defense. He said Sweden and its allies are prepared to take necessary actions to ensure peace and security in the Baltic region.
