According to SVT’s information, NATO has started the phase of assembling the forces, in which it is determined which units the Baltic Sea allies can send to the operation.
8.1. 18:37•Updated 8.1. 20:49
The military alliance NATO is planning an operation in the Baltic Sea to protect submarine cables, the Swedish Broadcasting Company reports SVT’s sources.
According to SVT, the military alliance has started the so-called force gathering phase, in which the allied countries of the Baltic Sea announce which units they can send to participate in the NATO operation. According to SVT’s information, warships and aircraft will be used in the operation.
SVT also says that Sweden has already started preparations to participate in the operation. SVT’s sources say that Sweden plans to participate in the operation with several warships.
– The issue is being prepared in NATO, and it is clear that Sweden has important resources and capabilities in the Baltic Sea, says the Swedish Minister of Defense Paul Jonson.
The Swedish army has not disclosed more detailed information about the number of Swedish ships participating in the operation. Army spokesman Jimmie Adamson however, confirms to SVT that the country is preparing to participate in the Baltic Sea operation.
– We are currently finding out what kind of resources we have and how we can participate in the operation. We currently have no ready answers. However, it is about the fact that we want to increase our presence in the Baltic Sea in the long term, says Adamsson.
information: The operation starts at the end of the week
reported on Tuesday that NATO is sending a fleet to the Baltic Sea to guard important underwater structures. According to , the operation will start at the end of the week.
According to ‘s information, ships are coming from the Baltic Sea Fleet on NATO duty, as well as ships sent directly by NATO countries. In total, the number would be closer to ten. They would stay at sea until April.
The Gulf of Finland will continue to be guarded especially by Finnish and Estonian ships. Ships from other countries are stationed in the Baltic Sea.
The ships would settle, for example, in the vicinity of energy and data cables. The ships would mainly act as a deterrent and increase the risk of being caught in possible sabotage. In international waters, NATO cannot, for example, block the passage of ships.