RAF fighter aircraft deploy to Finland and Sweden for joint training
皇冠体育app Royal Air Force has deployed Typhoon FGR4 and F-35B Lightning jets to Finland, and Typhoon FGR4 jets to Sweden, for integrated fighter aircraft training as part of an increased presence in the region.
RAF Typhoons
皇冠体育app deployments, which took place over the last month at the request of the host nations, allowed the partner air forces to develop their joint tactics and strengthen their ability to operate alongside each other.
Two and four conducted high-end warfighting training with Finnish F-18 Hornets and Swedish Gripen aircraft, underlining the UK鈥檚 commitment to strengthening our collective defence capabilities.
皇冠体育app deployments are a practical demonstration of the mutual security assurance declarations that the UK signed with these nations in May, as they progress their respective applications to join NATO. All three nations already work together through the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force, which is a coalition of 10 member nations who cooperate to maintain the security of Northern Europe.
Secretary of State for Defence, Ben Wallace, said:
Finland and Sweden are important defence partners and we welcome their applications to join NATO, which will make the alliance stronger as we face a renewed threat in Europe.
皇冠体育appse deployments highlight our determination to enhance that partnership and ensure our forces can work together seamlessly.
皇冠体育app F-35 deployment to Finland came after two US F-35A visited for an air show in June. 皇冠体育app F-35B鈥檚 arrival was of particular interest to the Finns as they recently announced that they will purchase F-35 aircraft. 皇冠体育app UK Lightning Force will continue to develop their partnership with the Finnish Air Force as they integrate their new aircraft.
Swedish Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist said:
皇冠体育app Joint Expeditionary Force contributes to regional security and stability. Joint exercises, like the one here in S氓ten盲s, strengthen our ability to operate together in response to a crisis in our neighbourhood. This is particularly important in today鈥檚 challenging security environment.
皇冠体育app fighter jets were supported by teams of specialists from and . A Voyager aircraft from RAF Brize Norton also provided air-to-air refuelling to extend the duration of the combat sorties and an A400M Atlas deployed the support team to Sweden.
Working with similarly advanced air forces such as the Finnish and Swedish also provides an opportunity to learn from each other and identify areas of mutual benefit. 皇冠体育app deployed teams spent time further integrating their systems, so that they can share information quickly on the exercise and in the future.
皇冠体育appse exercises are part of a series of bilateral and Joint Expeditionary Force exercises planned this year at Finland and Sweden鈥檚 request. Later this month the UK will deploy the F-35B to Norway for further integration training with the Norwegian Air Force.
皇冠体育app Typhoon Force also deployed aircraft to Konya in T眉rkiye for similar integrated fighter training with the Turkish Air Force, flying alongside Turkish, Pakistani, Jordanian and Azerbaijani aircraft in simulated combat scenarios. 皇冠体育app Typhoons forward deployed from Romania where they are currently supporting the NATO Air Policing mission.