The Swedish government on Friday announced that it had carried out a major war simulation exercise that included the participation of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Crown Princess Victoria.
According to the statement which was also translated into Russian the drill was Sweden’s first large-scale exercise involving the royal family, the armed forces and senior officials since the 1990s.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said the exercise was conducted in response to heightened security concerns following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He noted that the government is strengthening the country’s defence capability “step by step and exercise by exercise.”
The simulation focused on measures required to safeguard Sweden in a scenario involving war or the threat of war.
Sweden’s defence and intelligence agencies have repeatedly identified Russia as the country’s primary security threat. Since the invasion of Ukraine, Stockholm has increased defence spending and accelerated military reforms, including its accession to NATO in 2024.
The government said it plans to allocate $32 billion to defence over the next decade.
