Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Sweden Sends Fighter Jets and Warships to Finland
Sweden plans to send fighter jets and a warship to help protect Finland.
The support is expected to last until at least the end of 2026.
Finland asked Sweden for more help watching its airspace.
Finland says this will let its own military focus on responding to dangerous incidents.
Sweden may also send systems that can fight drones.
The two countries are NATO’s newest members and already work closely on defense.
Nearby countries are worried because drones connected to the war in Ukraine have entered or approached their airspace.
Finland also ordered air-defense missiles from Saab, the company that makes the Gripen jet.
Sweden will help monitor and protect Finland’s territory with Gripen fighter jets and a corvette warship until at least the end of 2026.
Finland requested stronger air defenses because of a deteriorating security situation, according to Sweden’s defense minister.
Sweden may also provide vessels with drone-combat capabilities and ground-based anti-drone systems.
The cooperation comes amid concerns that military drones could stray into NATO airspace near Russia as the war in Ukraine continues.
Saab separately received a 1.2 billion Swedish-crown order from Finland for RBS 70 NG air-defense missile systems.
- Who
- Sweden’s military, Finland’s Defence Forces, and Swedish Defence Minister Pal Jonson are involved.
- What
- Sweden will provide Gripen fighter jets, a corvette warship, and potentially other anti-drone capabilities to help monitor and protect Finland’s territory.
- When
- The deployment will last at least until the end of 2026; the report was dated Aug. 28, with no year specified.
- Where
- Finland, which shares a 1,340-kilometre eastern border with Russia.
- Why
- Finland requested stronger air defenses because of a deteriorating security situation and concerns about drones straying into NATO airspace.
- Deployment period
- At least until the end of 2026
- Aircraft
- Gripen fighter jets
- Naval contribution
- A corvette warship, including vessels with drone-combat capabilities
- Possible additional support
- Ground-based anti-drone systems
- Finland’s eastern border
- 1,340 kilometres (833 miles) with Russia
- Saab order
- 1.2 billion Swedish crowns ($126 million) for RBS 70 NG portable air-defense missile systems
- Countries’ status
- Sweden and Finland are NATO’s two newest members
