As tensions rise in the Baltic region, NATO has unveiled new military strategies that place the Swedish island of Gotland at the center of its deterrence and defense posture. Often described as an “unsinkable aircraft carrier” in the middle of the Baltic Sea, Gotland is poised to become a vital platform for long-range missile artillery, specifically to support operations aimed at countering potential Russian advances in the Baltics.
Gotland’s strategic role in Baltic warfare scenarios
During the NATO exercise Swift Response, held this week, military forces demonstrated how Gotland could serve as a forward base for rapid missile deployment. In a war scenario where parts of the Baltic region might fall into Russian hands, NATO envisions Gotland as a springboard for counter-offensive actions.
According to Captain Justin Miller of the United States Marine Corps, the alliance’s approach is about demonstrating mobility and readiness: “The message is that we can quickly appear anywhere, including Gotland.”
This strategy was tested as 120 British paratroopers secured terrain outside Visby, allowing large American transport planes to land rocket artillery systems from the US and UK directly onto the island.
Within hours, HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems) were operational and firing live rounds into the sea, underlining the swift operational capability NATO is aiming to establish on Gotland.
Long-range systems to bolster Baltic defense
The placement of long-range weaponry like HIMARS on Gotland is not just symbolic—it has concrete strategic value. Colonel Dan Rasmusson, head of the Gotland Regiment (Gotlands regemente P18), highlighted the capability of these systems to strike targets on the far side of the Baltic Sea:
“This is an offensive capability that can support the defense of the Baltics, considering the range of these systems.”
Even though Visby Airport was considered destroyed in the exercise scenario due to enemy bombings, NATO forces adapted by using Brorakan, a road strip, as a makeshift landing site for incoming military transport. This underlines the flexibility of NATO’s new deployment plans.
Local impact and civilian concerns
When questioned about the risks such militarization could pose to Gotland’s civilian population, Colonel Rasmusson offered a reassured stance: “I wouldn’t say it increases risks. On the contrary, it helps make this place even safer.”
The presence of USA troops on Gotland remains stable for now, despite broader plans by Washington to scale back military deployments in Europe. As Captain Miller put it,
“Politicians and leadership in Washington do their job, and we do ours. We’re here now, looking forward to working and learning together with NATO allies.”
Gotland’s emerging role reflects NATO’s evolving strategy in the Baltic Sea region, aiming to combine rapid deployment with advanced firepower in one of Europe’s most geopolitically sensitive areas.
