In the Silver Wotan 2026 exercise, more than 500 Bundeswehr personnel train together with the Swedish armed forces across air, land, and sea. The Operational Command of the Bundeswehr announced this on Friday. Silver Wotan takes place from September 14 to 23 off the southeast coast of Sweden, around and on the island of Gotland. The aim is to show that both countries can rapidly deploy their military forces, integrate them, and jointly protect the island.
Regarding the strategic importance of Gotland, Lieutenant General Alexander Sollfrank, Commander of the Bundeswehr’s Operational Command, said: “The island lies strategically central in the Baltic Sea. It is not only an important economic and trading area, but also militarily of great significance. A quick look at the map reveals that the island is a junction. Because secure harbors, sea routes, and airspace in the Baltic Sea are prerequisites for our alliances to remain operational.”
Silver Wotan with naval and air forces
The Bundeswehr participates with naval and air force capabilities in securing harbor facilities, protecting military convoys, and safeguarding military installations. In addition, two multi-role combat aircraft of the Tornado type will be used for airspace surveillance. Through the joint demonstration of the ability to act and the cohesion of the Swedish and German forces, it should become clear that both countries, in close cooperation, can ensure the defense of the NATO eastern flank.
In the exercise scenario, Sweden submits a fictional request for NATO support, since the Swedish armed forces are dispersed on the mainland and constrained. Gotland, as a strategically important objective in the Baltic Sea, requires additional protection. Therefore, German forces are deployed to the Baltic island and, for example, secure the port of Visby and reinforce Swedish coastal defense. In the further course, Swedish and German soldiers are to demonstrate their capability for Anti-Surface Warfare and document the will and ability to defend themselves against any aggressor.
