FRIDAY 28 AUGUST· STOCKHOLM · THE DAY IN 5 STORIES

Sweden sends Gripen jets and warships to patrol Finland

Three Swedish Air Force JAS 39 Gripen aircraft fly in formation over Helsinki in June 2017.
Three Swedish Air Force Gripen aircraft fly over Helsinki during the Kaivopuisto Air Show in June 2017. The file photograph does not show the current patrol or deployment. Image: Petri Hallberg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)

Sweden will send Gripen fighter aircraft and naval units to help patrol Finland after Helsinki requested military support, according to SVT.

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The Swedish Government confirmed that the two countries will deepen joint surveillance and protection of Finnish territory in support of NATO deterrence. It said the cooperation will strengthen Finland's ability to detect and counter drones linked to Russia's war against Ukraine.

SVT reports that Swedish Gripens and warships will patrol risk areas near the Finnish-Russian border in the near term. Army anti-drone units could also be sent if needed this autumn.

Finland has faced repeated air threats this year, including temporary airport closures, Ukrainian drones crossing the border and Russian airspace violations.

The Government did not specify how many units will deploy, an exact start date or how long the operation will last.

#SwedenNews#Finland#NATO#Defence#Gripen#Russia
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