A Russian aircraft violated Swedish airspace east of Gotland’s southern tip on Friday afternoon, according to the Swedish Armed Forces.
In response to the incursion, two Jas-39 Gripen fighter jets were dispatched to intercept the Russian plane.
Swedish authorities have announced that they will summon the Russian ambassador to address the incident, Foreign Minister Tobias Billström told SVT.
The aircraft involved was identified as a Russian SU-24, which did not respond to transmissions from Swedish forces. After the violation was detected, the two Swedish fighter jets were sent to intercept the intruding plane.
Foreign Minister Tobias Billström stated, “The Russian behaviour is unacceptable. The Foreign Ministry will call the Russian embassy to mark the incident. We are in close contact with allies and partners about events in the immediate area.”
Defence Minister Pål Jonson also condemned the actions, describing them as “unacceptable and unprofessional.”
The Swedish Armed Forces noted that the violation was brief but still problematic.
Air Force Chief Jonas Wikman commented on the situation, stating, “It shows a lack of respect for our territorial integrity. The act reflects the general security situation with a less secure environment and more aggressive behaviour on the Russian side.”
The SU-24: An Overview
The SU-24, known by NATO as “Fencer,” is a supersonic, all-weather attack aircraft developed by the Soviet Union in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It remains in service with the Russian Air Force and several other nations.
Designed primarily for low-level penetration strikes, the SU-24 can carry a variety of weaponry, including guided missiles, bombs, and rockets, making it a versatile platform for ground attack missions.
Key features of the SU-24 include:
- Twin-Engine Configuration: The aircraft is powered by two AL-21F-3 turbojet engines, enabling it to reach speeds of up to Mach 1.35.
- Variable-Sweep Wing: The SU-24’s wings can be swept back at different angles, allowing for better performance at both low and high speeds.
- Advanced Avionics: Equipped with a sophisticated navigation and attack system, the SU-24 can conduct precision strikes in various weather conditions, both day and night.
- Crew: The aircraft is operated by a two-person crew consisting of a pilot and a navigator seated side by side.
The SU-24 is used for a range of missions, including:
- Ground Attack: Capable of carrying a wide array of conventional and precision-guided munitions, the SU-24 excels in destroying ground targets.
- Electronic Warfare: Some variants of the SU-24 are equipped with electronic countermeasures to disrupt enemy radar and communications.
- Reconnaissance: The aircraft can be fitted with reconnaissance equipment for intelligence-gathering missions.
I think the only way to stop Russia’s territorial ambitions is to actively engage the Russian invaders within UKR until they’re defeated & forced to withdraw. Otherwise they’ll just keep pushing boundries, waiting for oportunities to succeed against each state on their list.
We(the west/NATO) have flown over Rusian/Soviet/Chinese territory when it suited us on recce missions.
I suggest we litter-lay start shooting down Russian aircraft for airspace violations. The Soviet’s did this to us plenty of times in the Cold War and it never started a war.
It did very quickly stop us and the US overflying Soviet air space.
They should publicly warn Russia of this policy now, i am pretty sure any NATO air craft in Russian airspace now would be instantly engaged.
Turkey did it to the Russians and it did not start a war and we now know the Russians did shoot at one of our rivet joints in international airspace.
I’d not bother TBH. I’d focus on supporting the Ukrainian F16 deployment. Which is clearly imminent….. We can see the S300/400 batteries being taken out at will and that can only be airspace shaping activities. So I’d be suprised if we don’t see a debut performance soon. Coming to a bridge near you…..Mr Putrid….. That would be my betting anyway. Good use of LGB’s anyway. Right sort of weapon for the job. Keep hammering the key piers until the bloody thing’s self weight does the job. And LGB’s NATO has loads of….and not that hard or expensive to make more… Read more »
Yes indeed, around Ukraine the air war is probably the most important thing, if Ukraine can gain air superiority over the battlefields, Russia is probably going to be forced into an armistice that benefit Ukraine. If the west gives Ukraine the munitions and equipment it needs to win the deep battle it can win..it just needs to not be attritioned into defeat before then..or the sometimes flaky west fails to supply..effectively this is a war that will be won or lost by a combination of Ukraines ability to not suffer attrition to the point or no return and the wests… Read more »
Disagree. A Russian pilot and plane legitimately shot down is one platform and pilot(s) less to face Ukraine.
I’m all for keeping focus on the central task of letting the UkrAF mash up RuAF.
Anything else is a distraction.
I’d rather see more F16’s prepped to go to UKR.
I don’t agree that F16’s are outmatched by RuAF junk. The S400’s are a threat but are being dealt with effectively..
I wonder how reactivated f 15’s would cost from their number one ally?
Better off sticking with F16s.
Another service/trainjng/parts/depot system would be a nightmare.
We given them an MBT nightmare with the large variety of tanks we gifted them. Ironically the CH2’s seem to be more reliable than the Leopard I’s….
shoot one down then run to the hills 👍👍😁😁😁
The Russian air force really are crud. They either don’t know they are violating sovereign air space of a NATO country or this is deliberate provocation designed to try to keep NATO off balance.
I wonder what would happen if one of their aircraft were to be shot down. As is the rights of the country whose air space has been violated.
Standard process would be to issue two warnings then engage.
We do know what would happen..Turkey already did it…it would need to be a really clear violation, you don’t want Russia and china to be able to use it on the international stage as an example of western aggression….
Mr Bell, I disagree. Just shoot them down; they’ll get the message.
👍🙏
that’s one too many to me pal.
With Jim on this.
Use Russian tactics, shoot it down. No apologies.
Sovereign sea territory violated, sink them.
Russians understand one thing: force.
Yep, As you say 100%.
I like the sink them bit there fellah👍👍⚓