The defense cooperation Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) has decided on Tuesday that the Baltic Sea will be patrolled with about 20 warships – in which two Swedish Visby corvettes will participate.
It reports SVT News.
– This is a symptom that we have a very serious security political environment and it sends signals to Russia and is both deterrent and stabilizing, says Defense Minister Pål Jonson to the channel.
The background is an increased threat to critical underwater infrastructure and will also send signals to Russia.
– It is about conducting maritime surveillance, about 20 naval vessels will be active in the Baltic Sea but also parts of the North Atlantic to take into account the security situation and better protect critical infrastructure underwater, says Pål Jonson to the channel.
The operation will continue from Friday until December 15, Jonson tells TT.
The decision on the measure has been made in close dialogue with NATO countries in the region.
“Very serious security political situation in the world”
The decision was made as a consequence of the security summit held on Gotland in October.
– The decision has been made in close dialogue with the NATO countries that are also in the region and we see it, says Pål Jonson.
Sweden is fielding two Visby corvettes that will have special responsibility for parts of the Baltic Sea.