As part of Sweden's defense decision 24, the army has been tasked with establishing two brigades to protect the Arctic area, with the first being the Mek B 4 brigade, expected to be fully operational by the end of December this year. Currently, 2,500 soldiers from nine different regiments are participating in winter exercises in Boden as part of the run-up to a larger international exercise in Finland scheduled for March, involving 14 nations collaborating under NATO protocols. The Mek B 4 brigade, commonly referred to as the Skaraborg Brigade, will reach a total of 6,500 personnel when fully operational.

The purpose of the exercise not only lies in acclimatizing troops to harsh winter conditions but also in developing their capabilities to defend NATO’s eastern flank, particularly the border with Finland against Russia. Fredrik Rennermalm, a conscript soldier, expressed confidence in adjusting to the cold weather, highlighting the importance of training under such conditions. This preparation is critical given the ongoing geopolitical tensions and Sweden's increasing collaborations with NATO allies.

The logistics involved in transporting personnel and equipment to Boden for these exercises have been considerable, demonstrating the commitment of the Swedish military to maintain combat readiness. This current exercise is seen as a preliminary drill before the much larger Cold Response exercise planned for March, which underscores the importance of international military cooperation in enhancing regional security in the northern parts of Europe, especially in light of recent global security dynamics.