RismadarVoice Reporters
August 28, 2026
Sweden will deploy Gripen fighter jets and a corvette warship to Finland to support surveillance and protection of Finnish territory amid growing security concerns in the region.
The Finnish Defence Forces said on Friday that the Swedish military equipment would participate in operations at least until the end of 2026.
According to the Finnish military, the Swedish deployment will strengthen air surveillance and allow Finland to preserve its own military resources for responding to potential violations and security incidents.
Swedish Defence Minister Pal Jonson said Sweden had responded to a Finnish request to strengthen the country’s air defence because of the deteriorating security situation.
He added that, if necessary, Swedish armed forces could assist Finland in responding to violations of its territory under the bilateral defence arrangement.
In addition to Gripen fighter aircraft and naval vessels equipped with drone capabilities, Sweden could also contribute ground-based anti-drone systems, Jonson said.
Finland shares a 1,340-kilometre eastern border with Russia. Both Finland and Sweden joined NATO in 2023 and have continued to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation.
The deployment comes amid increased concerns over drone incursions affecting Finland and other NATO countries along the alliance’s northern and eastern borders with Russia.
Sweden’s Saab, the manufacturer of the Gripen fighter, also announced on Friday that it had secured a 1.2 billion Swedish crown ($126 million) order from Finland for its RBS 70 NG portable air defence missile system.
The Swedish deployment is expected to continue through the end of 2026 under the current arrangement.
