Sweden Boosts Baltic Sea Security Amid Rising Tensions

Sweden is introducing legislation to enhance its coast guard's surveillance capabilities in the Baltic Sea due to heightened security concerns following undersea outages and airspace violations post-Russia's 2022 Ukrainian invasion. NATO is also reinforcing its Baltic Sea presence with additional defense assets.

Sweden is taking steps to bolster its coast guard's maritime surveillance capabilities in the Baltic Sea as security challenges mount. This initiative aims to address recent geopolitical tensions and security incidents that have put the region on high alert.

The proposal follows a series of undersea cable disruptions and pipeline outages, as well as airspace violations and unauthorized drone sightings, all occurring since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Sweden's Minister for Civil Defence, Carl-Oskar Bohlin, emphasized the necessity of adapting to these challenges, stating, "We have not chosen our external situation, but we must deal with the reality we face."

Moreover, NATO, which counts Sweden among its members, is also enhancing its defensive posture in the area. The organization announced plans to deploy an air-defence frigate and other military assets in the Baltic Sea in response to recent drone incursions in Denmark.

(With inputs from agencies.)