European Observatory to Combat Radicalization – EOCR
Sweden hosts naval exercise with 200 special tactics operators
europol ـ In October 2025, leisure sailors enjoying the autumnal landscape in the Stockholm archipelago may have been surprised by groups of masked special operators barrelling past them in speedboats. Over 200 officers from ten European countries gathered for a week-long naval exercise codenamed ‘TRIDENT’. Under the umbrella of ATLAS, which receives dedicated financial support from Europol, the Special Intervention Unit of the Swedish Police Authority (Nationella Insatsstyrkan), supported by the Swedish Coast Guard (Kustbevakningen) and Swedish Armed Forces (Försvarsmakten), spared no effort to provide realistic training scenarios for the participants.
Preparing to fight terrorism on land and sea
The exercise scenario focused on the deployment of special intervention units and naval assets during day- and night-time, simulating terrorist and hostage incidents on board of cruise liners and ferries. Day after day, the participants faced new challenges on the water and on some of the archipelago’s many islands, slowly preparing them for the final exercise under real-life conditions. The attending units brought along their equipment, such as speed boats, sniper rifles, combat diving gear, and helicopters. The exercise was supported with helicopters and naval vessels provided by various Swedish authorities.
The attending operators undertook tactical and technical preparations with every new scenario, weighing operational options under time pressure. Teams paired up with colleagues from neighbouring countries, challenging them to work using a common language and allowing them to exchange experience on tactics and equipment. ATLAS exercises, such as TRIDENT, are invaluable for building trust and exchanging experiences, which ultimately enables special intervention units to enhance tactical skills and technical capabilities.
Final exercise under watchful eyes
This TRIDENT naval exercise culminated in a large-scale scenario across the archipelago with teams facing several challenges at once. The operational challenges included intercepting a ship transporting weapons for a terrorist cell, as well as securing terrorist-controlled locations with hostages, including some requiring first-response medical attention. This multi-threat scenario tested the participants’ response agility and adaptability throughout the exercise.
The Nationella Insatsstyrkan under the leadership of Mårten Langer invited official representatives to observe the final assault. Sweden was represented by the Minister of Justice Gunnar Strömmer, the Head of Swedish Police Petra Lundh, Head of Swedish Coast Guard Lena Lindgren Schelin, representatives from the Swedish Armed Forces, as well as civil servants from other Swedish Authorities. Europol was represented by Jean-Philippe Lecouffe, Deputy Executive Director of Europol, and Anna Sjöberg, Head of the European Counter Terrorism Centre.
Mårten Langer Commander, Nationella insatsstyrkan and ATLAS Chairman: In a time of increasing global conflict, organised crime and terrorism, ATLAS remain united under our motto “All Together to Protect You”. Safeguarding Europe’s values of democracy and freedom requires strong cooperation built on mutual trust. Trust is best forged through shared experiences, particularly in high-risk operations and demanding training environments. For almost twenty-five years, the ATLAS network has conducted around fifty joint activities annually, continuously enhancing Europe’s collective security and operational capability. ATLAS special intervention units, thank you for your commitment.
Petra Lundh Swedish National Police Commissioner: Exercises of this type are becoming increasingly important given the global situation we are in. We have witnessed the strength we have when we work together, and the joint strength is impressive.
Jean-Philippe Lecouffe Deputy Executive Director of Europol, Operations Directorate: Special intervention units are our critical shield in moments of greatest risk. Their effectiveness depends not only on individual skill but also on seamless cooperation with each other. Through joint, cross-border training exercises such as TRIDENT, we add an element of mutual learning, which allows for the exchange of experiences, builds trust, and increases readiness. Ultimately, in a crisis affecting any Member State, each unit can move swiftly, confidently, and in coordination to protect our common European security.
ATLAS Network
The ATLAS Network consists of law enforcement special intervention units of the EU Member States and associated countries, maintaining 24/7 readiness to respond to crisis situations affecting European security. Since November 2018, the ATLAS Support Office has been hosted at Europol’s ‘European Counter Terrorism Centre’. This ensures that the ATLAS network is both continuously supported internally and directly connected to other relevant law enforcement networks and EU agencies. Europol provides financial and material support to the dozens of exercises conducted annually by the network. TRIDENT was helmed by the ATLAS Expert Group Naval.
European Observatory to Combat Radicalization – EOCR
