With the support of a naval base battalion, the corvette loads mines at one of the navy’s terminal points in the Stockholm archipelago. A few hours later, the crew stands ready at the mine rail, at sea, ready to lay.
“Ready, ready. Lay. Lay. Lay.” One after another, the mines disappear into the dark cold water.
Naval Exercise Autumn 2025 is a major annual exercise that aims to develop the navy’s ability for joint underwater and surface combat operations, in order to ensure free movement of both military and civilian maritime traffic in peace, crisis and war.
With new technology and tactics, we are developing the Swedish Navy’s capabilities in mine warfare, a key development for maintaining freedom of action and freedom of movement for both Sweden and our allies. During Naval Exercise Autumn 2025, we will carry out both mining and mine clearance of shipping lanes, says Commander Bernt Andersson, force commander during the exercise.
Once the corvettes have laid mines and left the area, the exercise moves on to the next phase. The minesweepers are tasked with detecting, identifying and neutralizing the mines.
– We train all year round to contribute to the development of the war units. High capability in underwater combat is a prerequisite for being able to credibly assert naval control in the Baltic Sea area and ultimately, together with our allies, deter Russia, says Commander Bernt Andersson.
During Naval Exercise Autumn, submarine hunting, naval target combat, counter-sabotage measures and logistics are also practiced.