Seeing reports that Sweden will invite NATO to join them in fortifying Gotland, an island in the Baltic Sea that will allow NATO almost complete Area Denial capability on, over and under the Baltic. After the cold war, this island was completely demilitarized, but after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014, Sweden began rebuilding a small garrison. Though not clear yet exactly what will be built on the island, about the size of Rhode Island, it will likely include strong air defense, anti-ship and anti-submarine forces, as well as infantry to defend the island itself. Gotland would be a critical objective for Russia should they wish to invade the Baltic states.
“Seeing reports that Sweden will invite NATO to join them in fortifying Gotland, an island in the Baltic Sea that will allow NATO almost complete Area Denial capability on, over and under the Baltic.”
Sweden shares the same three big security concerns as Finland - Russia, Russia and Russia. Both of them have long prepared to fight Russia on their own, and both will bring to NATO extremely hawkish views against Russia. Sweden may be socially liberal, but they are hard core hawks against the Russian Military threat. Reportedly, Sweden plans to take a leadership role within NATO, to mobilize the bloc to counter the Russian threat.
While Finland fields the largest Active Duty Artillery Force in all of Europe (over 700 howitzers and loads of MLRS), and has enough nuclear fallout shelters for their entire population; Sweden’s particular Military strength (among many), is as a Baltic Sea power (focused entirely on the Russian Navy).
Fortress Gotland is a dream come true for them, if they can make it happen.