Swedish Gripens intercept Russian IL-20 in first NATO air policing mission

Swedish JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets carried out their first interception mission under NATO’s Enhanced Air Policing (eAP) framework, marking a historic milestone for Sweden’s integration into the Alliance.

On April 24, 2025, two Gripens deployed at Malbork Air Base, Poland, made a visual identification of a Russian IL-20 “Coot” electronic reconnaissance aircraft flying in international airspace over the Baltic Sea, north of the Polish coast. The operation was coordinated by NATO’s Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) in Uedem, Germany, and conducted in close cooperation with Sweden’s national incident response system.

This mission represents the first time a Swedish fighter aircraft has operated from a foreign base under NATO command.

“We were where we were supposed to be at the right time to solve the task. We are showing that Sweden is a player that really contributes to further strengthening NATO’s air defense and protecting Polish airspace together with other allies,” Anders Gustafsson, head of the Swedish contingent in Poland, noted.

Russian IL-20 Coot signals reconnaissance aircraft / ForsvarsmaktenStrategic milestone in Sweden’s integration into NATO’s collective defense

Sweden’s Norrbotten Air Flotilla deployed six Gripens to Malbork on March 26, 2025, marking the first overseas deployment of Swedish fighter aircraft since the country’s accession to NATO on March 7, 2024. The Swedish jets operate alongside Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons from the UK’s 140 Expeditionary Air Wing.

During a ceremony at Malbork on April 1, 2025, Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson, Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized the strategic importance of the deployment.

“Our mission was not just to join NATO to get security, but also to provide security,” Jonson said.

The enhanced Air Policing mission, established in 2014 following Russia’s annexation of Crimea, strengthens security along NATO’s eastern flank. It complements the Baltic Air Policing mission, active since 2004, which safeguards the airspace of Baltic nations lacking their own fighter capabilities.The post Swedish Gripens intercept Russian IL-20 in first NATO air policing mission appeared first on AeroTime.

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