On September 18, 2025, the U.S. Army reported that Marines from Alpha Company, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, executed a joint island raid in Korso, Sweden, using Swedish CB90 fast assault craft as part of Exercise Archipelago Endeavor 2025 on September 7. The operation demonstrated integrated amphibious capabilities between American and Swedish forces, highlighting readiness in the increasingly contested Baltic Sea.
Sweden’s Combat Boat 90 (CB90) is a high-speed, shallow-draft craft optimized for rapid troop insertion, stealthy coastal operations, and archipelagic terrain. During the exercise, CB90s transported Marines to landing points while supported by LAV-25 vehicles and reconnaissance elements, forming the spearhead of a complex amphibious raid.
The CB90 has been a cornerstone of Swedish coastal defense since the 1990s and has been exported to Norway, Mexico, Greece, and Malaysia. Its modular design, speed exceeding 40 knots, and capacity for 21 fully equipped troops enable rapid, independent operations in confined waters. For the U.S. Marine Corps, this was one of the most integrated uses of the platform, blending NATO interoperability with Sweden’s amphibious doctrine.
Archipelago Endeavor 2025 reinforces NATO’s northern flank, strengthening allied deterrence and operational agility in response to Russia’s A2/AD posture in Kaliningrad and the Arctic. The exercise provides a live rehearsal of island warfare, enhancing readiness for future Baltic conflict scenarios while demonstrating the combined force’s expeditionary capability.
