On Thursday, Swedish and Norwegian fighter jets escorted American bombers over Norwegian territory. According to the Norwegian Armed Forces, this is the first time that images from such a mission with these three nations together have been released. This week, the Nordic countries agreed on a joint declaration on defense and security. This means that Denmark, Finland, Norway, Iceland and Sweden must cooperate even more closely to defend themselves, but also to deter. Altogether, the Nordic countries have around 250 combat aircraft. They will become important. – This is a significant and credible deterrent capacity, says the head of the Air Force’s weapons school, Brigadier Kristian Lyssand, – Whoever controls the air has an advantage on the surface, and that will give ground and sea forces better conditions for success in their operations, says head of Air Force Weapons School, Brigadier Kristian Lyssand, Photo: Philip Linder / The Armed Forces He shows what Swedish and Finnish membership in NATO will mean for the Nordic region, but also the potential that lies in increased cooperation between the Nordic countries themselves. Thinks the Nordic region has capable armed forces Last week, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden created a framework to be able to enter into agreements on defense material and security of supply. The Nordic countries already have a Nordic defense cooperation, NORDEFCO (Nordic Defense Cooperation). The cooperation takes place at both political and military level. It also means joint exercises and so-called operational efforts. One also tries to keep costs down. This collaboration is now being strengthened. Jonas Gahr Støre with his Scandinavian colleagues (former) Swedish Magdalena Andersson, Finnish Sanna Marin, Jonas Gahr Støre, Danish Mette Fredriksen and Icelandic Katrín Jakobsdóttir during the Nordic prime minister’s meeting in Oslo. Photo: Terje Bendiksby / NTB “The Nordic countries have significant, modern and highly capable armed forces. Through training, integrated planning and the ability to carry out operations seamlessly, the effectiveness of our defense can be significantly improved,” says the joint declaration between the Nordic prime ministers. Considering joint air operations center In June, it became known that Denmark is postponing the phasing out and sale of its F-16 aircraft as a result of the war in Ukraine. The country is in the process of purchasing F-35s. The first planes will arrive next year. – Putin’s aggression against Ukraine has changed Europe and the threats we face. Denmark takes a big responsibility for peace and security in the fight against Putin’s threats, said Defense Minister Morten Bødskov in a press release then. The F-35 takes off from the combat aircraft base on Ørland. The aircraft has a top speed of 1,931 km/h. Photo: Ingrid Lindgaard Stranden / news The Norwegian Armed Forces are now considering a joint Nordic air operations centre. – Through integration, standardization and joint command and control, we will strengthen each other’s air defences, says Lyssand. The flight over Andøya on Thursday is an example of interaction between Nordic countries that takes place regardless of Swedish or Finnish NATO membership. – After we put in place an agreement on practice across national borders in 2008, activity picked up significantly. We are now looking forward to expanding the cooperation and joint training even more, says Chief of Communications for the Air Force, Colonel Eivind Byre. – The air force already has good cooperation with Finland and Sweden through several joint exercises. One example is the large air exercise Arctic Challenge Exercise, which is carried out on a circuit every two years between the Nordic countries, says Lyssand. Can spread risk and activity beyond several bases Finland is in the process of buying F-35 fighters. Norway has ordered 52 aircraft, and in January the new F-35 fighter jets took over the NATO Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) mission from the F-16 in Norway. Finland will receive its aircraft in the period 2025–2031. Lyssand believes that Swedish and Finnish NATO membership will have something to say in terms of spreading risk and seeing resources across the board. The F-35 is now on continuous alert from Evenes. Norwegian f-35s are fully operational from 2025. They have their main base on Ørland. – For example, we will get more air stations which, in the event of a war, will help to disperse the planes and thereby increase survivability. We will also be able to mobilize aircraft and air defense to areas in the Nordics where there is the greatest need in a crisis or war situation, says Lyssand. – What challenges will you encounter? – We almost only see opportunities. Initially, we may want to have slightly different concepts and ways of thinking about air operations. These are things we solve. First and foremost, I think this will be a source of learning, innovation and development, says Lyssand.
ttn-69
Prime Ministers want to make the Nordic countries more deterrent to attacks – news Trøndelag
