Sweden deploys new air defence missile system on Baltic island

STOCKHOLM: Sweden’s armed forces said Monday it had deployed a new air defence missile system on the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea, following years of increased militarisation in the region.

“Through its geographical location the island provides essential military advantages in regards to protection and control of shipping, air control over the Baltic Sea and the ability to place military units and weapons systems,” Sweden’s Supreme Commander Micael Byden said in a statement.

In 2015, Sweden, noting a deteriorating security environment, decided to again place troops on the Baltic island just over a decade after the previous military presence on Gotland had been disbanded.

The move followed Russia’s annexation of Crimea, the conflict in Ukraine, incidents with Russian military jets entering Swedish air space and a major naval search operation in Stockholm’s archipelago after a suspected submarine sighting.

The surface-to-air missile system deployed with the Gotland regiment is the BAMSE SRSAM, which was developed by Swedish defence company Saab during the 1990s and early 2000s. With a reach of 15 to 20 kilometres, the system means a “significantly” increased range of the anti-air capabilities of the Gotland regiment, according to the armed forces.