Swedish fighters patrol Baltic airspace in NATO mission

Swedish fighter jets have conducted their first combat sortie as part of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission, designed to safeguard the airspace of the Baltic States.

According to reports from Interfax, the Polish Armed Forces Operational Command confirmed the mission, noting that Swedish JAS-39 Gripen fighters, based in Malbork, Poland, launched their first patrol flight, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The operation aims to bolster the protection of NATO’s eastern flank.

The flight was carried out in response to the proximity of Russian aircraft to NATO airspace, the command explained. Swedish pilots are patrolling alongside British forces, highlighting the seamless integration between allied forces as they work together to protect the territorial integrity of NATO members around the clock, 365 days a year.

At the end of March this year, six Swedish Jas 39 Gripen fighters arrived at Malbork Air Base to take part in air policing over NATO's eastern flank.

This is the first such mission for the Swedish Air Force since the Kingdom joined NATO. A group of British Eurofighter Typhoon fighters has also been deployed to the air base.

By Aghakazim Guliyev