Sweden deploys Gripen jets to strengthen Finland’s border security

Sweden is strengthening Finland’s security near the Russian border by deploying Gripen fighter jets as regional tensions remain high.

According to Sweden's armed forces, six of the country’s JAS 39 Gripen fighter aircraft landed at an air base in Malbork, Poland on Wednesday to join a combined air surveillance mission.

NATO said this was the first time Sweden's combat aircraft had participated in the alliance from another ally’s airspace, joining in March 2024.

Sweden and Finland focused on potential vulnerabilities to Russia, and the Gripen has been a key project.

The jets made by the Swedish aerospace and defense company Saab AB were custom engineered to counter Russia. Gripens can operate from civilian roads rather than vulnerable aviation infrastructure that could be targeted.

Notably, Russia has targeted this kind of infrastructure during the geopolitical tensions. However, Gripen requires less maintenance than some other aircraft such as the US-made F-16s available across NATO arsenals.

Poland and Sweden are among Ukraine’s leading international collaborators and are among the countries the loudest that Russia could attack somewhere in Europe.

NATO said that Sweden’s Gripen jets will be deployed in Poland from April along with some of the UK Royal Air Force’s Eurofighter Typhoons.

Crucially, aircraft like the Gripen or the Eurofighter Typhoon could become increasingly important.

Nonetheless, there is an opportunity for European defense companies, but it causes trouble for European countries as there are fewer of these jets available and production is falling behind schedule.