Ukraine participates in exercise Aurora 26 as part of an Enhanced Partnership with the Joint Expeditionary Force

Stockholm, Sweden - The Swedish Armed Forces has invited the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ contribution to exercise AURORA 26 to be conducted within the framework of JEF-Ukraine Enhanced Partnership.

During AURORA 26, Ukrainian drone operators and specialists will take part in live exercises, joint training with allied units and seminars focusing on drone warfare, including seaborne and anti-air drone operations.

“Ukraine’s participation in AURORA 26 will strengthen Sweden, our allies and the Joint Expeditionary Force. Their knowledge and skill will amplify our capabilities in drone warfare, help accelerate defensive tactics and enhance European security,” says Rear Admiral Jonas Wikström, Exercise Director.

More than 16,000 personnel, including soldiers, sailors, and officers from the Swedish Armed Forces will take part of AURORA 26. The exercise will also include the reception and integration of approximately 1,500 troops from Allies and Ukraine, rehearsing plans for reinforcement operations in Northern Europe and along the Eastern Flank.

The Swedish Armed Forces welcome the enhanced partnership between JEF and Ukraine as both ways and means to integrate and strengthen existing links with the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The Swedish Armed Forces will continue to contribute and operationalize the partnership, starting with AURORA 26.

About the JEF-Ukraine Enhanced Partnership

The Leaders of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) agreed to enter an Enhanced Partnership with Ukraine at their Summit meeting in Oslo on 9 May 2025. This Enhanced Partnership will formalize and deepen the relationship between the JEF and Ukraine, building on the strong political and military support already provided by JEF Nations since Russia’s illegal, full-scale invasion in 2022.

In an increasingly unpredictable and contested security environment, the JEF is a flexible and credible tool for dialogue, complementary to NATO’s deterrence and defense in northern Europe, determined to strengthen co-operation and to demonstrate our contribution to Euro-Atlantic security and transatlantic burden-sharing.