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Swedish combat aircraft will patrol over the Baltics

by AI | 07.Jun 2024 | Europe in brief AI

Swedish combat aircraft, under direct NATO command, will contribute to NATO’s air surveillance, primarily in the Baltic Sea region.

Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) and NATO's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg hold a press conference at Stockholm's Amphibious Regiment. Photo: Henrik Montgomery/TT

The Swedish government has given the go-ahead to the Armed Forces to contribute Swedish aircraft to NATO’s air surveillance.

This means that Swedish fighter jets will carry out missions within the framework of “NATO air policing”, primarily over the so-called frontline states over the Baltics.

The decision is made exactly three months after Sweden joined the defense alliance.

“Sweden has always been determined to be an active NATO member from day one and now we are starting this journey in earnest,” says Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) at a press conference together with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

Stoltenberg welcomes Sweden to NATO’s air surveillance and says he is more convinced than ever that it is an asset to have Sweden in the alliance.

NATO air surveillance is an incident readiness whose purpose is to preserve the integrity of NATO’s airspace and to act as a deterrent against attacks in the air.

Sweden already carries out surveillance under Swedish command today, the difference now is that the activity will be carried out directly under NATO command.

The planes will be based in Sweden and primarily operate in the Baltic Sea area.

(June 7)