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The Nordic countries signed a military agreement. They were prompted by the aggression of Russia
, 20:32, 25.03.2023
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
There will be joint protection of the sky over the Nordic countries: Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark - assumes the document signed by the commanders of the air forces of these countries
Countries from northern Europe want to protect themselves from Russia together
There will be joint protection of the sky over the Nordic countries: Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark – assumes the document is signed by the commanders of the air forces of these countries. The armies will share radar data, and treat the aircraft fleet as a common one. In total, they will have about 250 machines. Cooperation is another result of Russia's attack on Ukraine.
The air forces of Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Denmark operate based on procedures developed within NATO. The last two of these countries currently belong to the Alliance, the rest have candidate status.
Their entry into NATO depends on Hungary and Turkey, which have not yet ratified the membership of the Swedes and Finns.
“A fleet like a large European state”
The signatories of the document do not conceal that they were encouraged to deepen their cooperation by the Russian aggression against Ukraine, which began last year. "Our combined fleet can be compared to that of a large European country," Major General Jan Dam, commander of the Danish Air Force, told Reuters.
The Norwegians have 57 F-16 fighters and 37 F-35 fighters. The Finns, on the other hand, can boast of 62 F/A-18 machines and are waiting for the delivery of 64 F-35 aircraft and Hornet jets. In turn, the Danes have 58 F-16 fighters, 27 F-35 aircraft, and the Swedes have almost 100 Gripens aircraft.
The Reuters agency emphasizes that some of these machines have not yet been delivered. In addition, it is not known exactly how many of them are operational.
Northern European countries will exchange radar data
The agreement was signed last week at NATO's Ramstein Air Base in Germany. General James Hecker, head of Allied Air Command, who also oversees the US Air Force in the region, was present.
The details of broader cooperation were discussed in November during a meeting in Sweden.
“We wanted to see if we could integrate the surveillance of our airspace, and mutually use radar data and surveillance systems.”
