Gotland: Sweden's Strategic Island in the Baltic Sea Amid Rising Tensions
Amid escalating tensions between NATO and Moscow, joint military exercises involving Swedish and Polish forces have highlighted the strategic importance of the Swedish island of Gotland. The exercises, named Operation Gotland Sentry, are designed to deter a potential Russian attack and test rapid deployment plans for land, sea, and air forces.
Gotland as a Key Strategic Asset
According to Quartermaster Oscar Hannus of the Swedish Navy, Gotland is comparable to "a huge aircraft carrier in the middle of the Baltic." Its location allows for control of vital sea lanes, making it a critical asset for NATO in reinforcing the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. The island is only 300 km (186 miles) from Kaliningrad, the home of Russia's Baltic Fleet.
"We're here on Gotland with our Polish allies … in order to deter potential enemies from the East in case they want to subject us to any kind of threat here on Gotland or in the Baltic Sea," said Hannus.
Deterrence and Defense Capabilities
Ewa Skoog Haslum, Chief of Joint Operations in Sweden’s Navy, emphasized that long-range missile systems deployed on Gotland can defend allies and deter Russia. The island is also essential for maintaining free supply routes for NATO forces and civilian maritime traffic. Sweden has been rebuilding its military presence on the island since 2018, reactivating the Gotland Regiment and deploying ground-to-air missile batteries.
Sweden's NATO Membership and Regional Security
After decades of non-alignment, Sweden joined NATO in March 2024, strengthening its security and that of the Baltic Sea region. This membership allows Sweden to rely on the collective defense of the alliance. Vice Admiral Krzysztof Jaworski of the Polish Navy stated that securing Gotland is crucial for the entire Baltic Sea region.
"When you put a missile unit on Gotland... you can secure almost the whole Baltic," said Vice Admiral Krzysztof Jaworski of the Polish Navy. "I would say it's important for every country in the Baltic Sea."
