- This is a big day for P18. The establishment process that began on January 1, 2018 has now reached its goal, says Colonel Mattias Ardin, Head of Gotland's Regiment, P18.

The defense decision in 2015 stipulated that Gotland should have a permanent union, in addition to the home defense. The 18th battle group then began to be recruited and trained at P4 Skaraborg in Skövde.

In November 2018, the battle group was declared ready and operational and placed on the island. However, they have continued to belong to Skaraborg's regiment.

In conjunction with the ceremony, the battle group changed its name to the 181st Armored Battalion. Photo: SVT

On January 1, 2018, the disbanded Gotland regiment, P18, was re-established, which has since recruited both civilian and military personnel to be able to fully control the Armed Forces' operations at Gotland.

At a ceremony today, where, among other things, the army commander Karl Engelbrektson was present, the P18 also assumed responsibility for the battle group, which in this connection changes its name to the 181st armored battalion.

- Now Gotland's regiment has fulfilled what was to be done for this period. From that perspective, the first part of the establishment of Gotland's regiment is now complete, says Mattias Ardin.

"Long journey ahead of us"

But the re-militarization of Gotland will continue for a long time to come, he points out.

- I see ahead of us that we continue to develop the battalion we have here. That we get more functional units such as artillery, air defense, engineering and logistics units. And not least military service training to get a working staff supply. So we have a long journey ahead of us even though we are now ready with the first phase, ”says Mattias Ardin.