NATO strengthens eastern flank with Swedish Gripens, British Typhoons

Six Swedish Gripen multirole combat aircraft and six British Eurofighter Typhoons have arrived in northern Poland to participate in NATO's enhanced deterrence operations, aimed at bolstering the security of the alliance’s eastern flank.

The aircraft will be stationed at the 22nd Air Base near the town of Malbork, Poland, and will contribute to NATO’s Enhanced Air Policing program, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The RAF Typhoons landed just one day after the Gripens arrived, marking a significant moment in NATO's ongoing efforts to maintain air superiority and strengthen its defence posture in the region. The deployment of both aircraft sets a strong signal of unity and resolve among NATO allies in the face of escalating tensions in Eastern Europe.

Chris Brown, the defence attaché of the British Embassy in Warsaw, emphasized the importance of the Typhoon deployment, noting that it underscores Britain’s commitment to regional security. "The Typhoons sent a clear signal of Britain’s engagement in the region’s security and demonstrated the close partnership between the UK and Poland," Brown said.

The Gripens, which are participating in NATO operations for the first time outside of Sweden, are a notable addition to the alliance’s air defence capabilities. This deployment comes just a year after Sweden joined NATO in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

A formal welcoming ceremony for the aircraft is set to take place on April 1, with Sweden’s defence minister, Pål Jonson, in attendance. The Swedish Gripens will remain in Poland until the end of July, reinforcing NATO’s strategic presence in the region and contributing to the ongoing defence of its eastern borders.

Enhanced Air Policing, launched in 2014, is part of NATO’s broader reassurance measures following Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea. These measures aim to deter aggression and affirm the alliance’s defensive posture.

This enhanced NATO presence in Poland is a direct response to the security challenges posed by Russia’s actions in Ukraine, and it highlights the alliance's commitment to collective defence under Article 5 of the NATO treaty. The deployment of these advanced aircraft strengthens NATO’s ability to patrol and secure airspace along its eastern frontier, ensuring the protection of member states and maintaining stability in the region.

By Vafa Guliyeva