In mid-November, Swedish marine forces, alongside U.S. and Polish units, participated in NATO’s Neptune Strike 23 exercise in Poland. The primary focus was on leading ground-targeting combat aircraft, showcasing NATO-Sweden collaboration in the Baltic Sea area.
Key Points:
- Participants and Activities:
- Swedish units, including JTAC and fire directors from Stockholms Amfibieregemente, joined U.S. and Polish forces.
- The exercise involved ground-targeting with combat aircraft from the U.K., Poland, and Spain.
- Smooth Multinational Coordination:
- Coordination with NATO-standard tactics and procedures facilitated seamless collaboration.
- Positive experiences were gained from working with both American and Polish counterparts.
- Strategic Context – Baltic Sea:
- Recent incidents, including damage to Nord Stream pipelines, emphasized the importance of defending the Baltic Sea.
- Neptune Strike 23 demonstrated NATO’s commitment to regional defense.
- Joint Army-Air Force Operations:
- The Swedish Army and Air Force collaborated effectively, enhancing inter-service cooperation.
- Fallskärmsjägare and Swedish Air Force participation added depth to the exercise.
- Challenges and Success:
- Despite the complexities, the exercise proceeded smoothly, credited to meticulous planning and execution.
- The involvement of various nations contributed to diverse learning experiences.
- Future Collaborations:
- Emphasis on ongoing collaboration and potential alliances to strengthen defense capabilities.
- Lessons learned from working with international colleagues highlighted the value of such joint exercises.
https://www.forsvarsmakten.se/sv/aktuellt/2023/11/neptune-strike-23-med-sikte-pa-mal/