Photo: Pontus Lundahl/TTThe biggest Swedish military exercise in over 20 years has started in Gothenburg, with French and US air defence units as well as other overseas troops joining the Swedes in the Aurora 17 drill of more than 20,000 military personnel. The exercise starts on Sweden's west coast and will also cover the Stockholm area, Mälaren Valley and Baltic island Gotland. The show of force comes in a period where Swedish defence is in sharp focus following an increase in military activity from Russia in the Baltic region. The Swedish Government argues that a worsening security policy situation in Europe means that Sweden's defence capabilities and cooperation with other nations in the area need to be strengthened. The exercise is an important defence policy signal.

Source: The Local September 12, 2017 09:11 UTC