Gotland Island

[JohnStone]

Could this be on Putin's wish list?

Gotland, the largest island in the Baltic Sea, is roughly 56 miles off the Swedish coast and only 155 miles from Kaliningrad, a major Russian exclave in Europe with a large military base. The island's position in the south Baltic gives it immense strategic value if a conflict were to break out in the Baltic Sea. "Today's modern air missiles and anti-ship missiles can hit targets in the order of 300-400 kilometers," wrote Karlis Neretnieks, a retired Swedish major general, for the Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences last week. "Anyone who can group such systems on Gotland will be able to make it very difficult for an opponent to operate on and in the Baltic Sea. From Bornholm in the south to the Åland Islands in the north, from the Swedish mainland in the west to the Baltic states to the east."

https://twitter.com/noclador/status/579025692693827584

http://www.theatlantic.com/internat...rimea-sweden-flirts-with-joining-nato/284362/

 

[Missileman]

Gotland Island is very strategic. If Russia takes that over they can place tactical as well as strategic weapons on there and would create quite a problem.

 

[killjoy27]

Gotland Island is very strategic. If Russia takes that over they can place tactical as well as strategic weapons on there and would create quite a problem.

Gotland is Swedish controlled, Not a Nato member. Looks like they only has a defense pact with Finland. There would not be much preventing a Land Grab to take the island.

 

[OverLord]

Gotland Island is very strategic. If Russia takes that over they can place tactical as well as strategic weapons on there and would create quite a problem.

Gotland is Swedish controlled, Not a Nato member. Looks like they only has a defense pact with Finland. There would not be much preventing a Land Grab to take the island.

Soon Russia get's their new Mistral ship :shock: .. As a Swede im kinda worried.

And last week our Armed Forces reached out to the politician and begged for more money so they can put more regiments on Gotland.

 

[bigcatmomma]

my understanding of this is that russia could theoretically just take over the island controlled by the swedes...and that would be that? that would be like the bully taking someone's school lunch money. seriously, this is a possibility?

 

[killjoy27]

my understanding of this is that russia could theoretically just take over the island controlled by the swedes...and that would be that? that would be like the bully taking someone's school lunch money. seriously, this is a possibility?

Possibly, but due to its value, Euro or Nato forces may offer to help the Swedes, or they may just go in on their own accord

 

[Upshot]

Like every body else in Europe, the Swedish ran down their cold war era military capabilities because the 'Bear was dead', or at least terminal.
Peace Dividend, blow it on furthering the multi-cultural agenda.
And now...I'm betting there are a lot of sweaty fat cats pounding on desks in defence ministry's all through the NATO membership.
Do something! What do you mean the watch dog died of neglect?
Netherlands army sold off all its heavy weapons. The United Kingdom has 19 warships, no Maritime Patrol aircraft, and got rid of its aircraft carriers and SSK's. Most other NATO military's have devolved into truck mounted light infantry suited to protecting the afghan opium crop, and damned little else.
None of the European NATO members have even been coming close to meeting their treaty obligations.
And why should they? They all detest the U.S, but Uncle Sam will be right there to bail them out, right?
Russia could take Gotland, and the Swede's would be stuck with it. There are also deep divisions with in NATO (as always) that are deepening to the point that I am uncertain if NATO is even capable of presenting a unified front against russian aggression.
And I believe the russians know this.

 

[OverLord]

my understanding of this is that russia could theoretically just take over the island controlled by the swedes...and that would be that? that would be like the bully taking someone's school lunch money. seriously, this is a possibility?

Well.. if Russia for example create a incident (at the same time they have a drill in Baltic Sea) where they accuse Sweden for attacking them, they can take over Gotland and claim they did it as a response to the aggressive behaviour from the Swedes. They can then demand FN to send their
peace-keeping troops to stabilize the "situation". Now we have years of diplomacy ahead of us. Meanwhile Russia can start build long range anti-ship and anti-air missiles on the Island. Viola, Russia got the Baltic Sea under control.

This is just speculalation. I dont know how it would work in the reality with FN etc.

Or maybe they skip all the bs and just take the Island.

 

[OverLord]

my understanding of this is that russia could theoretically just take over the island controlled by the swedes...and that would be that? that would be like the bully taking someone's school lunch money. seriously, this is a possibility?

Possibly, but due to its value, Euro or Nato forces may offer to help the Swedes, or they may just go in on their own accord

Yeah possible. But Russia have said several times that NATO troops on Gotland would be seen as a declaration of war.

 

[cloveious]

The world runs out of excuses for Russia, if they walk into Sweeden.

The economic consequences would be dire for Russian citizens.

Hopefully even the weak Sweeidish army can give the Russians a good pasting like Finland did.

 

[killjoy27]

The world runs out of excuses for Russia, if they walk into Sweeden.

The economic consequences would be dire for Russian citizens.

Hopefully even the weak Sweeidish army can give the Russians a good pasting like Finland did.

The have that Nordic Blood, so they should be able to make Russia pay dearly for their actions

 

[OverLord]

The world runs out of excuses for Russia, if they walk into Sweeden.

The economic consequences would be dire for Russian citizens.

Hopefully even the weak Sweeidish army can give the Russians a good pasting like Finland did.

Well we could do that.. if we had any troops based on Gotland. We got literally 0. Some "liable for military services" but everyting else is gone due to downsizings.

Still we have our submarines that could do some work. I bet you guys know what im talking about

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HSwMS_Gotland_%281995%29
"Gotland (the submarine) managed to penetrate the defensive measures of Carrier Strike Group Seven undetected and snap several pictures of USS Ronald Reagan during the December pre-deployment Joint Task Force Exercise 06-2 (JTFEX 06-2) in the Pacific Ocean (probably in the California Operating Areas), effectively "sinking" the aircraft carrier"

 

[JohnStone]

my understanding of this is that russia could theoretically just take over the island controlled by the swedes...and that would be that? that would be like the bully taking someone's school lunch money. seriously, this is a possibility?

Possibly, but due to its value, Euro or Nato forces may offer to help the Swedes, or they may just go in on their own accord

Sweden isn't like Ukraine, though not a NATO member, they have a much closer relationship with NATO. I'm not saying NATO will declare war over this, but the decision to send arms to Sweden wouldn't be as difficult to make as it is with Ukraine. It would be in NATO's best interest to protect this island.

 

[killjoy27]

my understanding of this is that russia could theoretically just take over the island controlled by the swedes...and that would be that? that would be like the bully taking someone's school lunch money. seriously, this is a possibility?

Possibly, but due to its value, Euro or Nato forces may offer to help the Swedes, or they may just go in on their own accord

Sweden isn't like Ukraine, though not a NATO member, they have a much closer relationship with NATO. I'm not saying NATO will declare war over this, but the decision to send arms to Sweden wouldn't be as difficult to make as it is with Ukraine. It would be in NATO's best interest to protect this island.

That's what I'm saying, they have no obligation to aide, but due to its value, it would be in their best interest.

 

[jayfeather31]

That's what I'm saying, they have no obligation to aide, but due to its value, it would be in their best interest.

Having Russia on your doorstep would not be your best interest so...