Sweden Bolsters Baltic Defense: Procures Anti-Aircraft Guns for Assault Boats

Sweden is enhancing its maritime defense capabilities by seeking anti-aircraft guns for its Combat Boat 90 fleet, aiming to counter potential threats from drones and helicopters, particularly in the Baltic Sea region amid tensions with Russia.

The Swedish Ministry of Defense's procurement arm, FMV, has initiated a tender to acquire eight anti-aircraft guns, signaling a strategic move in response to growing concerns about security in the Baltic Sea. This procurement, valued at over $176 million, underscores Sweden's commitment to fortifying its amphibious units against aerial threats.

These anti-aircraft guns, to be integrated onto the Combat Boat 90 vessels, will provide enhanced protection across various naval theaters, including critical areas of interest. With a designated ammunition supply for 12 years, they offer a cost-effective defense solution against airborne threats, akin to Ukraine's defense strategy against Russian aggression.

As tensions escalate in the Baltic Sea, driven by Russia's ambitions in the region, Swedish Armed Forces Commander Micael Bydén has emphasized the strategic significance of key locations like Gotland. Positioned strategically in the Baltic, Gotland holds immense importance, prompting Sweden, now a NATO member, to maintain a military presence on the island.

Russia's recent moves to revise maritime borders, particularly around Kaliningrad and the Gulf of Finland, raise concerns of potential territorial disputes with neighboring NATO nations, further highlighting the need for enhanced maritime defense measures in the region. 

EU Considers Comprehensive Air Defense Shield Backed by Greece and Poland

 The European Union is evaluating the creation of its own air defense shield following support for a Greek-Polish initiative. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk proposed the idea to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who swiftly endorsed it.

EU’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, also expressed support but noted numerous questions remain, such as the placement, capacity, and funding of the air defenses.

The initiative aims to create a comprehensive system to protect EU airspace, motivated by the threat of Russia’s actions in Ukraine. This joint project would also demonstrate EU unity in defense.

The Greek-Polish proposal could challenge Germany's European Sky Shield Initiative, which involves 21 countries and integrates NATO's air defense architecture with a mix of European and non-European systems like the Israeli-American Arrow 3 missile and the U.S. Patriot system. Germany’s reaction to the new proposal has been neutral, provided it doesn't interfere with their efforts.

While the idea was discussed at the recent Foreign Affairs Council meeting, no formal action was taken. German and EU officials indicated that formalizing such proposals wasn’t within the council's immediate remit.