The Swedish armed forces participated in NATO’s largest military exercises since the end of the Cold War on Monday, supplying the alliance with fighter jets, helicopters, and personnel.
Sweden is potentially on track to join NATO in the coming days, following the February 26 approval of Sweden’s NATO membership by the Hungarian parliament.
Finland and Sweden’s accession is causing significant changes in a region of the far north where the exercises are being conducted.
In Bodoe, in northern Norway, U.S. and Norwegian F-35s, Finnish F-18s, and Swedish Gripen fighter jets flew together as part of a first test of a joint Nordic air operations center, a key part of the drills.
As part of NATO exercise “Steadfast Defender 2024” in the far north, “Nordic Response 2024” tests new regional defense plans.
More than 50 ships, aircraft, tanks, and other armored vehicles are scheduled to participate in the broader NATO exercises that run through May, with the participation of approximately 90,000 troops.
