- For the first time, Sweden is sending its Gripen fighter jets to participate in a NATO air defense mission.
- The jets were created with the intention of combating Russia and will now be deployed over Polish airspace.
- Sweden became part of NATO as a reaction to Russian aggression, notably the invasion of Ukraine.
The most recent addition to NATO has sent a combat aircraft specifically intended for confronting Russia to safeguard the alliance’s frontiers for the first time.
Sweden’s armed forces said that six of its Jas 39 Gripen fighter aircraft landed at an air base in Malbork, Poland, on Wednesday to join an alliance airspace surveillance mission.
NATO stated that this marks the first occasion on which Sweden’s fighter jets have taken part in the alliance’s “enhanced Air Policing mission” while operating from within another member nation’s territory.
as of its joining in March 2024
It had previously participated solely in NATO air policing missions within its own airspace, as merely a partnering country.
Sweden, along with its neighbor Finland, broke with decades of neutrality to
join NATO
, citing
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
as their reason for pursuing membership. This was an unforeseen result of actions taken by Russian President Vladimir
Putin’s brutal war
, with one rationale being to restrict the growth of the NATO alliance.
These countries
developed their military forces considering the potential threat from Russia
, and the Gripen was an example of such a project.
The jets, made by Swedish aerospace and defense company Saab AB, were specifically built to counter Russia. The then-commander of Sweden’s air force, Mats Helgesson,
said in 2019
that the Gripen was designed to defeat Sukhoi aircraft, which are a kind of Russian jets.
The Gripens are capable of operating from civilian roads instead of costly runways at fixed airbases, which can be targeted. Russia possesses this capability as well.
aimed at that type of infrastructure
During the conflict, this aircraft demands lower maintenance compared to others such as the U.S.-made F-16s, which are extensively present in various NATO stockpiles.
Michael Bohnert, a warfare analyst at the RAND Corporation, stated that the adaptability of the Gripen makes it particularly suitable “for a nation situated near an adversary.” Given its proximity to Ukraine, Poland views itself as a key frontline member of NATO.
Warfare experts, for these reasons, point to the Gripen as
the finest option among fourth-generation fighters from NATO countries suitable for Ukraine
Sweden has made no such pledges, despite having
explored the idea
.
Pål Johnson, the Swedish Minister of Defense, stated to Business Insider earlier this month that he was engaging in discussions with Ukraine and several nations within the Air Force Coalition—a consortium of allied countries dedicated to supporting Ukraine.
He mentioned that it’s “more difficult for Ukrainians to integrate additional fighters.” Since Ukraine has already obtained U.S.-made F-16s and French Mirages, the defense minister stated that Sweden has been encouraged to concentrate on delivering aerial sensor systems capable of offering command and control assistance.
Even with all the accolades received by these jets, Sweden’s Gripens still stand out.
haven’t come across this kind of battle before
as they would in Ukraine. They also haven’t encountered what they would confront in a Russian conflict with the NATO alliance.
Europe prepares for increased Russian hostility.
However, Europe is gearing up for this situation. Witnessing the invasion, many European nations, especially those near Russia such as Poland and Sweden, are getting ready for a possible confrontation with Russia.
Many NATO allies are
increasing defense spending
and manufacturing, forging
defense agreements between countries
, along with conducting bigger NATO drills.
Poland and Sweden stand out as Ukraine’s major international allies and are amongst the nations raising the most alarm about this issue.
Russia could attack elsewhere in Europe.
Sweden gave citizens a booklet that
advised them how to prepare for war
, and its defense minister last year warned that even though Russia’s forces were “tied up in Ukraine,” Russia “poses a threat to Sweden, as it does to the rest of NATO.” He said that Sweden “cannot rule out a Russian attack on our country.”
Poland has also given multiple warnings, including its foreign minister
saying
he would not be surprised if Russia attacked his country.
The two countries are both among NATO’s biggest spenders on defense. Poland spends the highest proportion of its GDP on defense of any member, including the US, and Sweden exceeds the 2% of GDP on defense guideline that NATO set.
NATO stated that Sweden’s Gripen aircraft will be stationed in Poland starting from April alongside some of the UK Royal Air Force’s Eurofighter Typhpoons.
NATO characterizes its “enhanced Air Policing mission” as a peacetime operation launched in 2014 following Russia’s unlawful annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.
The alliance
said
Its aerial operations since 2014 aim to showcase “the unified determination of the Allied nations, highlight the defensive stance of NATO, and discourage Russia from engaging in aggressive actions or posing an aggrandizing threat towards NATO member states.”
As the Trump administration destabilized longstanding alliances, some partners have
inquired about intentions to purchase F-35s
There’s a possibility that an aircraft similar to the Gripen or Eurofighter Typhoon might become far more significant.
European defense firms see potential, yet this presents a challenge for European nations since these specific aircraft models are scarce and their manufacturing remains relatively slow for the time being.
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