Royal Marines recently participated in a simulated invasion of Sweden as part of a large-scale exercise aimed at testing Sweden's defensive capabilities.

The exercise, which took place in the Gothenburg Archipelago, signifies the growing partnership between the United Kingdom and Sweden, now a NATO ally.

Situated off Sweden's second-largest city, Gothenburg, the Gothenburg Archipelago holds strategic importance as a gateway to the Baltic Sea. The defence of this vital area, along with Sweden's extensive coastline, falls under the jurisdiction of the 4th Amphibious Regiment, stationed in Gothenburg. Equipped with area-denial weaponry, Hellfire missiles, and sea mines, this regiment plays a crucial role in safeguarding the region.

Royal Marines from the Arbroath-based 45 Commando unit led the operations during Exercise Borealis to challenge Sweden's defences. The exercise included two realistic raids, with 45 Commando's X-Ray Company spearheading the efforts. Supported by assault engineers from 59 Commando Royal Engineers and a reconnaissance team from 30 Commando, the first raid simulated an attack on Gothenburg Port to disrupt critical infrastructure. This was followed by a six-day battle in the northern Gothenburg Archipelago, where 45 Commando worked to neutralize defence systems to facilitate the entry of larger forces.

Major Luke Norkett, commanding officer of X-Ray Company, highlighted the significance of these operations for the Royal Marines. He emphasized their relevance in enabling follow-on forces and capital ships to enter an area of operations, reflecting potential scenarios in large-scale warfare.

During the exercise, Sweden's Combat Boat 90s (CB90s) collaborated with the Royal Marines' inshore raiding craft (IRC) for the first time. The CB90s, capable of carrying 18 troops and reaching speeds of nearly 50mph, towed the smaller IRCs for stealthy landings. Additionally, frontline medics from both nations worked together on mass-casualty scenarios and enhanced casualty evacuation procedures.

Exercise Borealis serves as a prelude to NATO's Baltops, the alliance's largest annual exercise in the Baltic, scheduled for later this month. This collaborative effort underscores the importance of interoperability and joint training among NATO partners in maintaining regional security. Photo by Alexey Komarov, Wikimedia commons.