Sweden has marked the first anniversary of its accession to NATO by deploying JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets to Poland as part of the Alliance’s Enhanced Air Policing mission.

Six Gripens from the Swedish Air Force’s Norrbotten Wing arrived at Malbork Air Base on Tuesday, where they will operate alongside Royal Air Force Typhoons. The deployment represents Sweden’s first NATO air policing operation from an Allied air base.

Until now, Sweden had participated in NATO’s air policing efforts from its own territory. This deployment to Poland signifies a further deepening of Sweden’s operational integration within NATO.

“We are well prepared to take the next step to further strengthen NATO’s air defence in terms of deterrence and to create security in NATO airspace together with our British colleagues,” said Lieutenant Colonel Anders Gustafsson, Swedish Air Force Detachment Commander.

The mission is coordinated by NATO’s Allied Air Command and Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC). Air policing is a peacetime collective defence task conducted to maintain the security of Allied airspace.

“We have had very good and close cooperation with both the British and the Polish to ensure that all pieces fall into place to get us ready for our QRA mission,” Gustafsson added. “Everything has gone very well so far, and we are looking forward to strengthening NATO’s air defence.”

The deployment comes against the backdrop of NATO’s continued focus on regional deterrence following Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea. Enhanced Air Policing (eAP) was introduced in response to that event, reinforcing NATO’s posture along its eastern flank.

“This is a significant contribution from NATO’s newest member,” said Colonel Martin O’Donnell, spokesperson for Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE). “We welcome the additional strength Sweden brings to our air policing mission.”

The Swedish detachment will be on high readiness to conduct Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) tasks, intercepting and monitoring aircraft that approach or violate NATO airspace. Their presence, alongside British aircraft, sends a clear signal of Allied unity and resolve to defend every inch of NATO territory.

The deployment to Malbork is expected to last for several months.

George Allison
George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison

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