Royal Marines storm Swedish beaches in mock invasion

A Royal Navy amphibious task force has arrived in Stockholm after defending Sweden's coastline in a simulated invasion.

HMS Albion led the Littoral Response Group (North) (LRG) into the Baltic Sea for Exercise Aurora.

Exercise Aurora - the largest Swedish national defence exercise in more than a quarter of a century - saw Marines from 45 Commando stage an 'attack' on the beaches of Gotland.

• UK's amphibious flagship HMS Albion home after displaying military might on Exercise Joint Viking
• Ukraine war: Russian navy launches 'scarce' land attack cruise missiles
• Night missions and capsize drills: Royal Marines gear up for first deployments with 47 Commando

Major Lee Stewart, in command of X-Ray Company of 45 Commando, explained: "The scenario here in the Baltic is that an adversary has begun an invasion of Sweden.

"The UK, US and other partner nations have been called upon to help defend Sweden and defeat the enemy.

"Aurora is one of the best exercises we’ve taken part in for some time," he added.

Sweden's capital is surrounded by the Stockholm archipelago, a complex network of 30,000 islands with Gotland being the second-largest.

The Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson was impressed with the Commandos, saying that he would like them in the country "next year and every year".

Commanding Officer, Captain Marcus Hember, said: “Aurora has been a great proving ground in demonstrating the flexibility of amphibious ships like HMS Albion, enabling fast and lethal strikes by our embedded Royal Marines in 45 Commando whilst seamlessly supported by the ship and its crew.

"We’ve demonstrated our ability to exercise with our regional partners adding significant capability and shown we can ‘turn up when needed’."

Among those regional partners were Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, and Lithuania, as well as US Marines.

The Royal Marines also charged into 'battle' with the Swedish 35th Swedish Regiment during a simulated night attack.

The allied forces launched the night-time raid from HMS Albion on an airfield in Oskarshamn, in southern Sweden.

HMS Albion will now stop in Stockholm to host a number of events and engagements.