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Gripen C

26 October 2021

Air defence exercise between the Swedish and Finnish Air Force focus on co-operation

2 min read

This year too, Finland participates integrally in the air defence of Sweden as part of the in-depth defence co-operation. Finnish fighter aircraft participate both as a qualified opponent and were also integrated into the Swedish national defence together with Swedish fighter divisions.

Six Finnish F / A-18 Hornet fighter jets are based at the Skaraborg's air flotilla throughout the exercise and have been integrated into the Swedish national defence together with Swedish combat air divisions. Finland also has sent three Hawk jet training planes, which operate from Visby. These participate as opponents during the exercise.

- Our main goal for LFÖ 21 (Air Defence Excersice) is to develop our ability to perform flight operations with the Swedish Air Force. It includes developing tactics with both Gripen and F-18 combat aircraft, and also the ability to implement our operations as per the Swedish air base operations, says Lieutenant Colonel Eetu Rikkinen from the Finnish Air Force.

With the Finnish-Swedish cooperation, we will be better, and together, we will create security in our immediate area. We have assignments to practice with other nations where Finland is a priority.

- We came to Såtenäs on Wednesday. The support from the Swedish Air Force, Såtenäs air base and especially the local LNO has been excellent. We have managed to build up our capacity according to plan. We currently use four F-18s and have two F-18s as a reserve. The Finnish department at Såtenäs is fully operational and can support LFÖ 21 as planned, says Lieutenant Colonel Eetu Rikkinen.

The personnel from Finland will be part of Skaraborg's air flotilla during their base. We live and work under the same roof.

- I am grateful for every opportunity where we get to practice our war mission to ensure that air units can operate in our air defence. It is extra fun when it comes to providing service to our friends and allies from Finland, Colonel Malin Persson concludes.

The exercise began on 21 October and ends on 27 October.

Read the full story here.

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