Sweden is joining NATO's new Arctic mission called "Arctic Sentry." The government announced that JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets will patrol the area around Greenland as part of the mission.
The initiative followed talks last month between United States President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on strengthening the alliance's role in the region, according to TV4 News.
Six Gripen aircraft from Skaraborgs flygflottilj have been in Iceland since early February, where they participated in air defense readiness, known as "Icelandic Air Policing".
Now, parts of the Swedish force will also operate over the sea and airspace around Greenland.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson highlighted the security situation:
– As a NATO ally, Sweden has a responsibility to contribute to the security of the entire alliance. The Arctic is gaining increasingly greater strategic importance, he told TV4.
photo Olavi-a, https://pixabay.com
