This autumn, Sweden will send military units to Finland to help strengthen protection against drones, the Swedish Armed Forces reported.
“Recently, allies’ airspace has been subject to mass violations by drones. Drone incursions have been recorded in the airspace of Finland, Romania, Poland and the Baltic states. In August alone, there were more than 20 cases of drones entering Romanian territory,” the press release says.
In response to Finland’s request for support as part of joint operations, Sweden has agreed to provide military assistance to further strengthen its protection against drones.
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It is noted that the operation in support of Finland will begin in the autumn and continue throughout the autumn period. If necessary, Swedish units may come under Finnish command to detect and repel threats. In particular, Sweden is ready to provide JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets, Visby-class corvettes, as well as radar and air-defence systems.
“Swedish-Finnish co-operation covers a wide range of areas, and we are now strengthening it even further through joint operations. Finland’s cause is our cause not only in words but in deeds. Its border with Russia is also our border when it comes to defending the Nordic region, Europe and NATO. We are now enhancing our shared ability to defend the territory of allied countries,” said Vice Admiral Eva Skog Haslum, Head of the Swedish Armed Forces’ Joint Operations Command.
Sweden has previously provided Denmark with similar support in the form of counter-drone capabilities. In addition, the country has taken part in NATO missions to patrol airspace in Poland and Iceland.
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