Poland and Sweden launch first-ever joint military drills
Photo: Vladislav Kosiniak-Kamysz, Minister of Defense of Poland (Getty Images)
The first-ever Polish-Swedish military exercises, SNEX Gotland Sentry, have begun in the Baltic Sea, according to Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.
"Poland and Sweden together for the security of the Baltic Sea. We are starting the SNEX Gotland Sentry exercises – the first joint operation of this kind in history between Poland and Sweden," the minister said in his post on X.
The launch of the joint drills follows a defense cooperation agreement signed by Poland and Sweden on September 2. Under the document, the countries will conduct joint operations in the Baltic Sea and develop cooperation in defense technologies.
The bilateral exercises are being held for the first time in history, which was confirmed by the operational command of Poland’s Armed Forces. Their goal is to demonstrate the ability of both countries’ militaries to rapidly deploy specialized components at sea, in the air, and on land, while also working to improve collective defense procedures.
In addition, the exercises serve as proof that the political partnership between Poland and Sweden is being translated into practical operational actions.
"Developing operational compatibility and command capabilities in the current international situation, as well as conducting a deeper analysis of security issues in the Baltic Sea region, are also important elements," the Polish Army said in a statement.
Russian provocations
On the night of September 10, more than 20 Russian drones violated Polish airspace. In addition, two Russian fighter jets breached the security zone of the Petrobaltic drilling platform in the Baltic Sea. Warsaw views such Russian actions as systematic provocations that pose a threat not only to Poland but to NATO’s entire eastern flank.
Following these incidents, on September 19, two British Typhoon fighter jets, supported by a Voyager tanker, carried out their first flight to defend Poland. The patrol was part of NATO’s Eastern Sentry operation, aimed at strengthening Europe’s eastern flank in response to Kremlin provocations.
Earlier, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that Poland would shoot down any objects violating its airspace.
In addition, US President Donald Trump promised to help Poland and other Baltic states in the event of an escalation of Russian aggression.
