The famous Swedish tourist island of Gotland is increasing its military presence and becoming a strategic NATO base in the Baltic Sea, Bloomberg reports.
"Gotland is a favorite vacation spot for many Swedes. It has also become an important strategic location as the NATO country's armed forces increase defense spending," the statement said.
As the agency explains, Gotland, located on NATO's eastern border, is a strategically important area in the Baltic Sea. The island's position, according to Bloomberg, allows it to control air and sea routes to Kaliningrad and St. Petersburg.
According to the agency, just 10 years ago, the Tofte base of the Swedish Armed Forces in the western part of Gotland was nothing more than a shooting range.
About 300 conscripts live there now, and it is planned to double that number. The base is actively used by the military to work with artillery, tanks and other equipment.
