The Swedish Maritime Administration participated in Aurora 26
News 2026-06-01
During the Swedish Armed Forces' largest exercise of the year, a simulated underwater cable break in the Baltic Sea was used to test response capabilities, with the Swedish Maritime Administration's hydrographic surveying expertise playing a key role.
The need to maintain reliable maritime cargo flows for Sweden's total defence has become increasingly important following Sweden's accession to NATO. Protecting maritime shipping is now a key strategic priority, with civilian shipping needing to cooperate with naval forces during periods of heightened readiness and in response to hybrid threats.
Aurora 26 is the Swedish Armed Forces' largest exercise of the year, conducted alongside military units from twelve other nations. Its purpose is to strengthen Sweden's defence capabilities. Together with the Swedish Armed Forces and the Swedish Coast Guard, emergency preparedness coordinators and hydrographic surveyors from the Swedish Maritime Administration took part in an exercise involving a simulated underwater cable break in the Baltic Sea. The Swedish Maritime Administration used its sensors to survey the seabed, after which the Swedish Coast Guard took over and deployed divers.
The Swedish Maritime Administration also participated in a joint training activity with the Swedish Armed Forces and the Swedish Coast Guard. The organisations familiarised themselves with each other's vessels, equipment and capabilities, exploring what they could contribute to one another and how best to use their resources together.
Maritime pilots from the Swedish Maritime Administration contributed their shipping expertise to the Swedish Armed Forces' maritime traffic management concept during Aurora 26. For the first time, the Swedish Maritime Administration, the Swedish Armed Forces and the Swedish Coast Guard jointly practised elements of NATO's Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping (NCAGS) concept.
Participants in the total defence exercise exchanged ideas and perspectives on how they could work together, both in everyday operations and during crises.
"The exercise has given us a better understanding of each other's roles and responsibilities. We see opportunities to work even more effectively together in the future, potentially leading to more joint projects," says Alexander Klanfar, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator at the Swedish Maritime Administration.
