RAVLUNDA, Sweden - SHAPE’s Deputy Chief of Staff Partnerships Directorate visited Exercise Aurora 23 from May 7 to 10, 2023, Sweden’s largest annual home defence exercise, designed to test the nations defensive plans across all force domains.
This exercise has been extremely valuable, not only for demonstrating Sweden’s capability to defend ourselves against any adversary but also Sweden’s effective interoperability with our partners
Rear Admiral Gunnstein Bruåsdal was welcomed by the exercise director Brigadier General Stefan Andersson and was invited to visit elements of Sweden’s ARCHER artillery systems.
"This exercise has been extremely valuable, not only for demonstrating Sweden’s capability to defend ourselves against any adversary but also Sweden’s effective interoperability with our partners,” said Brigadier General Andersson. "I am very proud of all our exercise personnel, from all nations, where our Host Nation Support as been particularly efficient. As we continue to enhance our approach to joint operations within a brigade concept, we look forward to put into practice what we have learned here on this major defensive exercise."
SHAPE’s Deputy Chief of Staff Partnerships Directorate, Rear Admiral Gunnstein Bruåsdal, visited Exercise Aurora 23 from May 7 to 10, 2023, Sweden’s largest annual home defence exercise, designed to test the nations defensive plans across all force domains - NATO photo by SHAPE Public Affairs Office
Rear Admiral Bruåsdal was briefed on the defensive plans and phases of the exercise which was to repulse the attacking adversary. Other briefings were given by other senior Swedish commanders which reflected excellent cooperation between Swedish fighting forces and the NATO Alliance contributions in the field. The visit ended with a sustained live fire programme from ARCHER demonstrating the high value capability of this system.
Exercise AURORA 23, beginning with a mobilisation phase Apr. 24, 2023 to May 14, 2023, involves around 26,000 personnel and has contributions from 15 nations.