The Swedish defense is preparing for a large-scale armed attack on the country, which they must practice repelling. The upcoming military exercise, Aurora 23, is set to be the largest in over 30 years and will take place in various parts of the country, including Såtenäs. The exercise’s scenario involves an attack on southern Sweden, following sabotage, cyber attacks, and influence operations. Around 26,000 people will participate, including soldiers from 14 countries, including the US, Norway, and Finland. The main objective of the exercise is to test Sweden’s ability to receive foreign military aid. The Armed Forces will practice counterattacking with several brigades, coordinated by a division command. Leading several brigades at the same time has not been practiced for a long time, but the Swedish Armed Forces have a divisional staff once again, and the exercise will be crucial in testing this. Overall, Aurora 23 will be noticed in many parts of Sweden and will require extensive traffic management.
The defense must practice stopping a large armed attack on Sweden.
The upcoming military exercise will be the largest in over 30 years and will be felt in a large part of the country. Among other things, Såtenäs will have a big role in the exercise.
On April 24, war comes to Sweden. At least according to the scenario for exercise Aurora 23.
The attack on southern Sweden has been preceded by sabotage, cyber attacks and influence operations. In some places, the drinking water has become unserviceable, it has become difficult to withdraw cash and the electricity supply is weak.
– This makes us realize that something is going on, says the exercise leader, Brigadier General Stefan Andersson.
Around 26,000 people are participating in Aurora 23, which will thus be the largest military exercise since Sydfront 89.
A number of conscripts who have done military service or are occasionally serving soldiers have received summons orders for military unit training in front of Aurora.
When the mobilization announcement goes out via Sweden’s radio’s P4 channels on April 24, they must go to their units to collect equipment and be deployed against the fictitious enemy.
14 countries participate
Sweden’s ability to receive foreign military aid is one of the most important exercises.
– It is a way of identifying whether we have the resources and conditions required to receive support from third parties, says Andersson.
In addition to Swedes, soldiers from 13 countries are participating.
From Norway, approximately 700 US Marine Corps soldiers with equipment are to be transported via Jämtland and Härjedalen. With the help of the Swedish Transport Administration, two ferry connections are to be built across the Ljusnan. Heavy equipment must also be transported by rail.
In Oskarshamn, a hundred British soldiers will secure the harbor and airport so that Sweden can receive a motorized rifle battalion of a thousand soldiers from Finland.
Seen and heard
Aurora 23 will be noticed in many places in Sweden. In Norrbotten, the Swedish and Norwegian Home Guard will practice. Combat aircraft and other military aircraft must take off from various air bases around the country. In addition to the Jas 39 Gripen, also for example the British Typhoon and the Finnish F18.
Battleboats and corvettes are to practice along the coasts of southern Sweden. The US participates with a destroyer.
But it is mainly in Skåne, Småland and on Gotland that Aurora will be seen and heard. Skaraborg’s F7 air fleet is also included in the exercises and residents of Lidköping municipality will undeniably notice the exercise.
– There will be quite extensive traffic movements on public roads, where we will have to implement traffic regulation, says Andersson.
– So it is clear that it will lead to traffic disruptions.
The combat exercises take place mainly on training fields in Småland and Skåne. Over the Rinkaby field in Scania, 120 Polish paratroopers will jump to protect an enemy landing.
Some combat exercises also take place on civilian land and shooting with loose ammunition occurs.
“A new start”
It is particularly important to practice the Armed Forces’ ability to counterattack with several brigades, coordinated by a division command. It is seen as necessary to be able to beat back a qualified opponent.
An army brigade consists of about 5,000 people. The Riksdag has decided that Sweden should be able to field four brigades in war. So far, however, only two brigades are available.
– During this exercise we will lead three brigades, one which is essentially completely complete, then we have two played, says Andersson.
Leading several brigades at the same time has not been practiced for a long time, but since a few years the Swedish Armed Forces once again have a divisional staff.
How sure are you of Sweden’s divisional management ability?
– I feel quite safe there, Andersson says.
– Many of us who were there when the divisional staff was closed are still there, so the competence has not disappeared. But it’s almost a new start. (TT)
Fact: Here comes the war
Fact: Here comes the war
Aurora 23 runs April 17 – May 11
Air bases: Uppsala, Skavsta, Linköping, Norrköping, Såtenäs, Råda, Trollhättan, Hagshult and Ronneby.
Exercises with amphibious units, battleships and corvettes on the east coast from Stockholm south.
Norrbotten: Swedish and Norwegian Home Guard practice
Jämtland: American military transport from Norway.
Västernorrland: The Home Guard exercises.
Nyköping: Military transport and practice with loose ammunition. April 28 – May 9
Stockholm: Air defense system Patriot is re-based to the capital. April 27-30.
Linköping, Malmen Air Base: Military transports, extended flights and practice with loose ammunition. April 26-May 10
Norrköping Airport/Bråvalla: Military transports, exercises with loose ammunition, increased flight operations. April 26-May 10
Lysekeel: Navy ships, gunboats and helicopters practice. April 27-May 10
Gothenburg: Naval vessels, battleships and helicopters practice. April 27-May 10
Kalmar airport: Helicopter traffic. Rebasing of anti-aircraft units. April 30-May 5
Oskarshamn: British unit to secure the port. Transports of heavy combat vehicles to and from Eksjö. April 30-May 2
Eksjö: Many grouping associations. Transports of heavy combat vehicles. Low flying helicopters.
Jönköping Airport: Firefighting, demining, care of the injured. April 25-26
Skillingaryd: Battles on the shooting range. Large troop movements with heavy combat vehicles. April 30-May 11
Cost: Battles with heavy combat vehicles on the firing range. May 1-7
Gotland: Exercises with loose ammunition, Polish and British amphibious units participate. Expanded flight operations. April 28-May 10
Ystad: Exercises both on the shooting range and in urban areas. Shooting with loose ammunition. April 26-May 10
Hässleholm: Military transport to and from exercise areas. May 3-11
Kristianstad: Combat exercises on the training field. Parachuting over Rinkaby. Transports of heavy combat vehicles. Flight operations. April 24-May 11
Simrishamn: Sharpshooting with Archer Artillery, tank 122, combat vehicle 90, grenade launchers and Jas Gripen fighter aircraft at Ravlunda shooting range. April 24-May 11
Lund, Sjöbo: Battles with heavy combat vehicles on training fields. Units group on civilian ground. Heavy transport on civil roads. April 24-May 11
Source: The Swedish Armed Forces