Sweden was one of NATO’s closest partners, sharing the same values and facing many of the same challenges as NATO Allies. Swedish forces have trained together with NATO for almost 30 years.
Sweden’s membership in NATO boosts transatlantic security, enhances NATO’s ability to reinforce our Baltic Allies, and significantly enhances the defensive posture in the High North.
“Sweden’s accession comes at a critical moment for the Alliance,” Deputy Commander, Allied Maritime Command French Navy Vice Admiral Didier Maleterre said. “With a persistent Russian threat and the ongoing war in Ukraine, there has never been a more important time to reinforce our system of collective defense.”
Spanish Navy Rear Admiral Joaquin Ruiz Escagedo is the commander of SNMG1, which includes flagship ESPS Almirante Juan de Borbon (F102), FGS Bonn (A1413), FS Normandie (D651), HNoMS Otto Sverdrup (F312), ITS Luigi Rizzo (F595) and FS Aquitaine (D650). FS Aquitaine remains at sea to conduct Maritime Exercise Spring 24 led by the Swedish Navy, while the remainder of the group is in Stockholm.
The ships are visiting Stockholm having just completed the maritime phase of exercise Steadfast Defender 24, NATO’s largest multi-domain exercise since the Cold War. SNMG1 participated, along with Swedish units and troops, in an scenario in which NATO European forces, with a transatlantic reinforcement, stood up to recover NATO territory after simulated aggression toward a NATO member nation.
“Each NATO exercise is a further step in unity, integration and interoperability among 32 nations’ armed forces that are capable to operate as one single entity that leverages on the capabilities of them all,” said Escagedo.
Deputy Chief of the Royal Swedish Navy Brigadier General Patrik Gardesten reflected on the significance of this port visit and the enduring relationship Sweden shares with NATO.
“This is an important and historical day for the Royal Swedish Navy and I am very proud and honoured to welcome SNMG1 to Sweden,” Gardesten said. “The port visit to Stockholm and a now Allied country is very strong statement, which even more enhances the new role Sweden will play within the Alliance. We are ready to contribute to the Standing NATO Maritime Groups when the appropriate time and place occurs.”
MARCOM is the central command of all NATO maritime forces and the MARCOM Commander is the primary maritime advisor to the Alliance.
