Swedish Jets Escort Russian Signals Intelligence Aircraft in First Mission for NATO

Two Swedish Jas 39 Gripen fighter jets have completed their first close-range interception mission under NATO command, escorting a Russian IL-20 Coot signals intelligence aircraft over the Baltic Sea.

The mission, conducted as part of NATO’s Enhanced Air Policing, marks Sweden’s first operational deployment of a fighter aircraft division abroad since joining the alliance.

The Swedish aircraft took off from Malbork Air Base in northern Poland, where a unit from the Norrbotten Air Flotilla has been stationed alongside the British Royal Air Force’s 140 Expeditionary Air Wing. The operation, which involved visual identification of the Russian aircraft, took place in international airspace north of the Polish coast.

The mission was directed by NATO’s Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) in Uedem, Germany. Sweden’s unit also coordinated with its national incident preparedness forces during the operation.

According to Anders Gustafsson, head of the Swedish contingent in Poland, “We were where we were supposed to be at the right time to solve the task. We are showing that Sweden is a player that really contributes to further strengthening NATO's air defense and protecting Polish airspace together with other allies.”

This marks a milestone in Sweden’s integration into NATO’s defense structure. The alliance conducts continuous air surveillance missions to secure its airspace and deter potential threats.