Sweden holds major security drill in Stockholm
Swedish Armed Forces conducted a major joint security exercise in Stockholm, mobilizing approximately 2,000 personnel from military and civilian agencies in a coordinated effort to enhance national security preparedness. The operation, dubbed Birger Jarl 25, focused on protecting critical government facilities and infrastructure in the capital.
Military vehicles and soldiers were deployed around parliament buildings during early morning hours, while coordinated drills took place in the city's harbor, where armed forces worked alongside police and customs officials to practice vessel inspection and boarding procedures.
The exercise simulated responses to terrorism and subversion scenarios, with activities including foot patrols, sentry positioning, and roadblock implementation around strategic locations. The operation involved members of the Home Guard, the King's Guard Battalion, and other military units, working in conjunction with civilian authorities.
Commander of the central military region, Niclas Eriksson, said: “It’s going on, a NATO operation in the Baltic Sea, called Baltic Sentry , with a focus on protecting critical infrastructure on the bottom (of the sea), as well as working against hybrid threats. And it’s a large group of vessels in the Baltic Sea with substandard, who makes a threat for sea safety and also for the environment, and we must have the ability to act fast and forcefully, at sea or at a harbour like this, together with other authorities, working together in an operation, and that’s what we’re training right here.”
This large-scale exercise represents part of Sweden's broader strategy to strengthen its defense capabilities amid evolving security challenges in Europe, demonstrating the nation's commitment to maintaining robust protective measures for its democratic institutions and leadership infrastructure.
The operation showcased the integration of various security agencies and their ability to coordinate complex protective measures, reflecting Sweden's proactive approach to national security and institutional protection in an increasingly uncertain European security landscape.
