Following on Sweden’s historic accession as NATO’s 32nd Ally March 7, ships assigned to Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1), to include flagship ESPS Almirante Juan de Borbon (F102), conducted a port visit to Stockholm starting March 19.
Sweden, say the Alliance, was one of NATO’s closest partners, sharing the same values and facing many of the same challenges as NATO Allies. Swedish forces have trained together with NATO for almost 30 years.
“Sweden’s membership in NATO boosts transatlantic security, enhances NATO’s ability to reinforce our Baltic Allies, and significantly enhances the defensive posture in the High North.”
“Sweden’s accession comes at a critical moment for the Alliance,” Deputy Commander, Allied Maritime Command French Navy Vice Admiral Didier Maleterre said.
“With a persistent Russian threat and the ongoing war in Ukraine, there has never been a more important time to reinforce our system of collective defence.”
Stockholm is a lovely place to to see but bloody hell it’s expensive