Sweden deploys fighter jets to NATO’s enhanced Air Policing in Poland

For the first time, the Swedish Air Force will participate in NATO’s Enhanced Air Policing Mission with fighter jets deployed to an allied nation. A Swedish Fighter Squadron including support personnel will participate in NATO’s enhanced Air Surveillance and Quick Readiness Alert (QRA) activities in Poland.

Norrbotten Wing’s (F 21) Fighter Squadron will be deployed to Poland and operating in the Northern Air policing area from April to June.

The Swedish Fighters, JAS 39 Gripen, will be under the Command of the Combined Air Operations Centre in Uedem in Germany.

‑ The Swedish Air Force has extensive experience in maintaining territorial integrity with national QRA units. What is new here is that we are conducting missions from Poland within NATO’s IAMD Air Policing mission, says Jörgen Axelsson, Swedish Air Force Chief of Operations.

The Swedish Air Force will participate with one squadron of six to eight fighter jets and approximately 110 ground personnel in total.

‑ By contributing to NATO’s deterrence and defence, our Air Force enhances Swedish and NATO’s security. This is an important step in our interoperability and another step for the Swedish Air Force to become fully integrated into NATO’s Air Defence, says Jörgen Axelsson.

Enhanced Air Policing is part of NATO’s Assurance Measures introduced in 2014, after Russia’s illegal annexation of the Crimean peninsula. Swedish forces under NATO command follow directives and Rules of Engagement depicted by Supreme Allied Commander Europe, which are approved by the North Atlantic Council.

Media contact Swedish Air Force

Therese Åkerstedt, Head of Communication, mobile +4672-367 75 08 or fs-samo-komm@mil.se.