SVT: Sweden sending military units to help Finland monitor eastern border
The decision came following a request from Finland, according to the Swedish public broadcaster.
Swedish public broadcaster SVT reported that the Swedish government has authorized sending military aircraft and ships to Finland in order to assist with monitoring the Russian border region. This decision follows a request from Finland, as the country has experienced several instances of air incursions this year. These incidents included temporary closures of airports and the suspected use of stray armed drones, which Ukraine had targeted at Russian objectives.
According to SVT, Sweden plans to dispatch military units, including Gripen fighter jets and Swedish warships, to patrol high-risk areas along the Finnish-Russian border. The country may also deploy anti-drone units if necessary during the autumn.
Furthermore, Finland and Sweden announced an expansion of their defense partnership on Friday to incorporate enhanced territorial surveillance and the protection of territorial integrity. This collaboration aims to bolster Finland's capacity to detect and counter unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, in response to recent incidents linked to Russia's war in Ukraine.
Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen highlighted that this partnership represents a natural progression in the existing alliance between the two nations, emphasizing the importance of air and maritime cooperation within the broader context of NATO's mission.
By joining forces, Sweden and Finland are enhancing NATO's deterrence and defense capabilities in the region and along their eastern flank. Both countries share a common perspective on ensuring robust and capable defense measures, continuously refining their ability to cooperate effectively with their Allies and reviewing available resources for optimal contributions.
Written by urgent.news from Yle News Finland's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
