Sweden will deploy Gripen combat aircraft to Poland to patrol Polish airspace as part of the NATO Air Policing mission and to safeguard aid deliveries to Ukraine, the Swedish government announced Thursday.
“For the first time, our fighters will participate in air patrol operations from the territory of an ally,” emphasized Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson at a press conference.
Between six and eight Gripen jets, along with pilots and maintenance personnel, will be stationed in Poland during April and May. Their primary mission is to protect Polish airspace under NATO’s air surveillance activities.
Jonson stated that deploying Gripens to Poland aims “to deter or, if necessary, defend against a potential armed attack.” The aircraft will operate in NATO’s northern air surveillance zone.
Furthermore, the Swedish government plans to send up to eight Gripen fighters between June and August to protect NATO’s Security Assistance and Training Centre for Ukraine (NSATU) and to support aid efforts for Ukraine.
Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard denied that Sweden’s actions are a response to any potential reduction in U.S. security involvement in Europe. “This is a rotational duty among NATO members,” she stressed.
Previously, Sweden participated in NATO patrols in the Baltic Sea region, but fighters operated solely from Swedish territory.