In the frostbitten landscape of Boden, Swedish soldiers are bracing for the largest NATO exercise in Europe since the Cold War, dubbed "Nordic Response 24".

Amidst the geopolitical tensions following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Sweden's military readiness is palpable, with the country's defense forces not only participating in massive multinational drills but also undergoing significant expansion.

With a looming Swedish NATO membership, the reality of the nation's defense posture has shifted, echoing sentiments among conscripts that "now, it's for real".

The Swedish Armed Forces aim to grow from 60,000 to 100,000 members by 2030, highlighting a challenging yet critical phase of "painful growth" to ensure both quantity and quality in defense capabilities.