STOCKHOLM, Sweden: Sweden is actively training elite military personnel for combat operations in the Arctic, as the country strengthens its defence posture amid rising geopolitical tensions with Russia, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ).
The report highlights that Sweden’s military is undergoing intensive Arctic warfare training, particularly in the country’s north, in anticipation of potential hostilities in the region.
The training is also intended to support Finland and Norway in the event of a war, the newspaper reported.
“To prepare for such a confrontation, Sweden is training a new generation of military personnel to conduct combat operations in the Arctic,” WSJ reported, citing Swedish military sources.
The brigade being trained for Arctic warfare is among the fastest-growing units within the Swedish Armed Forces, the publication added.
Shift in Sweden’s defence strategy
Sweden’s military posture has undergone a dramatic transformation since the Russia-Ukraine war started in February 2022.
The country, which had maintained a policy of military non-alignment for over 75 years, has now embraced a stronger defence strategy, particularly in coordination with NATO allies.
At the annual Society and Defence Conference in Sälen earlier this year, Swedish Defence Chief General Micael Bydén warned of the risks facing Sweden, projecting images of the war in Ukraine onto a snowy Swedish landscape.
“Do you think this could be Sweden?” he asked, in what WSJ described as an effort to alert the public to emerging threats.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has also called on citizens to be prepared for national defence, saying, “We must be ready to defend ourselves with weapons in hand and our lives on the line.”
NATO and Arctic security concerns
Sweden’s preparations come as NATO officials increasingly express concern over Russia’s activities in the Arctic.
Admiral Rob Bauer, Chair of NATO’s Military Committee, has previously stated that Moscow’s growing military presence in the region, combined with its deepening ties with China, poses heightened risks to the alliance.
“The increasing competition and militarisation in the Arctic region … is worrying,” Bauer remarked at the Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavik last October.
“We must be prepared for military conflicts arising in the Arctic.”
As a NATO member, Sweden is also working closely with the United States and other Western allies.
WSJ reported that American military personnel are undergoing Arctic training in northern Sweden as part of a broader strategy to enhance interoperability among allied forces.
Geopolitical shifts and Europe’s initiatives
The geopolitical balance in Northern Europe has shifted significantly with Finland’s accession to NATO in 2023 and Sweden’s impending membership, pending final approval.
With Sweden’s entry, NATO’s Arctic nations will outnumber Russia’s presence in the region seven to one, further altering the security dynamics of the High North.
Meanwhile, discussions are ongoing among Western nations about deploying a force of between 10,000 to 30,000 troops to Ukraine to help enforce a future peace deal with Russia.
WSJ reported that defence officials from multiple countries, led by the United Kingdom and France, met in London last week to explore the concept of a “coalition of the willing.” The proposed deployment would not include U.S. forces.
Lithuania has also announced plans to prepare a specialised military unit for potential NATO-Russia conflict scenarios, as confirmed by Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda.
