Mighty Arrow 26, a large military exercise, started on Friday in Niinisalo, Finland, at the Pohjankangas firing range, according to multiple reports. The exercise involves thousands of soldiers and hundreds of vehicles, including personnel and conscripts from several Finnish units traveling to Satakunta. Soldiers from Finland, Estonia, and Lithuania are participating, with international forces bringing equipment such as CV9035 assault tanks and BOXER armored personnel carriers. The exercise aims to strengthen NATO mechanized forces' common combat methods and interoperability with unmanned systems, according to major media sources. Mighty Arrow 26 is scheduled to end on May 9.
The movement of military equipment for Mighty Arrow 26 will affect traffic, with heavy equipment visible on several roads and some units moving by train, the Finnish Defence Forces said. Tank concentration marches will disrupt traffic in Hattula, especially during the upcoming weekend, according to major media reports. Road users are advised to prepare for slower travel, as convoys travel at 80–100 km/h.
Aurora 26 includes transit of units from Norway through Sweden to reinforce in the east.
Aurora 26, a comprehensive exercise with over 18,000 participants from 13 countries, started on Sunday in Sundsvall with reloading of military vehicles, according to multiple reports. The exercise takes place in large parts of Sweden between April 27 and May 13, covering large parts of the army, navy, air force, and Home Guard. A major focus of Aurora 26 is host nation support, including receiving and protecting allied NATO units. According to SVT Mittnytt, Ingeborg Widerberg described that Aurora 26 includes transit of units from Norway through Sweden to reinforce in the east. An American unit with several soldiers is present in Sundsvall for Aurora 26, according to major media. According to SVT Mittnytt, Daniel Kermeen described Sweden as a fantastic host. The Netherlands will bring five Apache attack helicopters to Skåne for Aurora 26, according to major media. The Apache helicopters will fly low between Ronneby and P7 in Revingehed from April 24, and according to Aftonbladet, Marcus Nilsson described that they will be loud.
Aurora 26 includes exercises at the former military airfield Lunda near Alunda, and in forests around Gimo and Österby, according to major media. Exercises start on Friday and involve units from F16 Upplands flygflottilj. Shooting exercises will be conducted at the airfield and in various forest areas, the Swedish Armed Forces said. Military transports for Aurora 26 will pass through Jämtland on their way south, according to major media. A large exercise will take place at Hagshult air base. Military columns, aircraft, and ships may be noticed in parts of Sweden during Aurora 26, especially affecting traffic in southern Sweden and Gotland, according to major media.
Sweden has been a fantastic host, according to a US Sergeant Major.
The Swedish Armed Forces warn of many military vehicles on civilian roads from April 20 to mid-May. During Aurora 23, military vehicles traveled south via the E4 and parts of the E45 in Västerbotten county, causing disruptions in traffic, according to research. The County Administrative Board urges drivers to pay attention to signs and other instructions on these roads. The Swedish Armed Forces had asked the public not to share images from the Aurora 23 exercise on social media.
On 15–17 February 2025, the Swedish Armed Forces conducted an exercise around the Riksdag in cooperation with the Riksdag Administration, according to research. Soldiers and vehicles from the Kings Guards Battalion, a unit under the Guards Regiment, were present around the Riksdag. The exercise at the Riksdag was part of a larger exercise – Birger Jarl – which the Swedish Armed Forces conducted in several places in Stockholm. In total, some 2,000 people from the Home Guard, Kings Guard Battalion, other units from the Armed Forces and civilians participated in the Birger Jarl exercise. The Swedish Armed Forces have previously conducted exercises around the Riksdag, most recently in the autumn of 2021.
The Apache helicopters will be loud, according to Marcus Nilsson.
Following Sweden’s accession to NATO, the country’s armed forces have taken on responsibilities linked to collective defence, according to research. Aurora 26 is intended to test operational defence plans developed under NATO framework and to prepare for joint missions with allied forces. International exercises are essential for developing interoperability between Swedish and other nations' armed forces, according to research. Some Swedish Armed Forces exercises are small, involving only a handful of participants; others can include many different countries. The Swedish Armed Forces’ exercises are often based on simulations of events to prepare units for situations they may face, such as an attack on Sweden or participation in an international conflict zone.
There are some discrepancies in the reported numbers for Aurora 26. Multiple reports state the exercise has over 18,000 participants from 13 countries, while other sources say it involves 16,000 Swedish soldiers and 1,500 allied from twelve countries, totaling 17,500. The difference may be due to rounding or inclusion of certain units. Additionally, Apache helicopter flights in Skåne are reported to begin on April 24, before the official start of Aurora 26 on April 27, which may indicate pre-exercise movements.
Several details remain unclear. The exact dates and locations in Sweden that will see the most significant traffic disruptions due to Aurora 26 have not been specified. The total number of allied personnel and the specific countries involved are not fully confirmed. The relationship between Mighty Arrow 26 and Aurora 26, and whether they are coordinated, is not publicly known. The specific types of unmanned systems being tested in Mighty Arrow 26 have not been disclosed. The purpose of the February 2025 exercise around the Riksdag and its connection to national security also remain unclear.