Sweden begins the largest military exercises in 25 years

17 April, 2023 Armored vehicles of the Armed Forces of Sweden. Photo credits: Antonia Sehlstedt/Forsvarsmakten In Sweden, large-scale Aurora 23 military exercises have begun, which will continue in April and May.

Aurora 23 will be the largest national exercise of its kind in more than 25 years. Training will take place jointly with international partners. Ukraine will also participate in these exercises.

In this way, Swedish total defence capability will be reinforced. All types of troops and other armed formations of the country will take part in the Aurora 23 defence exercise, which will last from April 17 to May 11. More than 26,000 servicemen are going to participate.

Swedish Stridsvagn 122 tanks.

Photo credits: Forsvarsmakten

Large-scale exercises will strengthen the joint capacity to counter an armed attack on Sweden. "Aurora 23 will be the largest national exercise of its kind in more than 25 years. More than 26,000 men and women are going to participate," the statement reads.

The exercise will be conducted in the air, on the ground and at sea in many parts of the country. The exercise will primarily be noticed in southern Sweden, as well as in and around Gotland. In order to conduct the exercise, participants will primarily use the Swedish Armed Forces' own exercise areas and firing ranges, but activities will also be conducted on private land.

Multirole transport helicopters during exercises.

Photo credits: Jenny Ringstrom

For the most part, air exercises will be carried out in southern Sweden, day and night from 24 April to 11 May.

Flights with combat aircraft, helicopters, transport and other aircraft will be performed from several air bases and civil airports.

Together with Sweden, the Aurora 23 large-scale military exercises will be joined by the USA, the United Kingdom, Finland, Poland, Norway, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Denmark, Austria, Germany and France.