Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark struck a deal to run their 200+ advanced fighter jets as a single fleet, creating a new headache for Russia

• The 4 Nordic nations agreed to function their roughly 250 fighter jets in a single fleet.

• Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark, have trendy air forces that embrace F-35s.

• They joined forces hoping to discourage Russia.

The air forces of 4 Nordic nations agreed to function their fleets of round 250 fighter jets as a mixed power, hoping to discourage Russia by working collectively.

Air power commanders of Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark mentioned Friday that they’ve signed a letter of intent to determine a unified Nordic air protection, Reuters reported.

“The final word purpose is to have the ability to function seamlessly collectively as one power by growing a Nordic idea for joint air operations primarily based on already identified NATO methodology,” Denmark’s air power mentioned in an announcement, per Bloomberg.

“Our mixed fleet could be in comparison with a big European nation,” commander of the Danish air power, Main Normal Jan Dam, instructed Reuters.

Dam mentioned the transfer was in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine final 12 months. The invasion additionally prompted Sweden and Finland to hunt entry into NATO, an alliance which already contains Denmark and Norway.

The joint power will probably be a fear for Russia, boasting a big variety of top-tier fighter jets.

Norway, Denmark, and Finland have all dedicated to the F-35 jets that are probably the most superior Western fighter planes. Norway operates some already, whereas Finland and Denmark are on account of obtain them within the coming years.

Sweden has its personal mannequin of fighter jet, the Gripen C and D, with modernized Gripen E planes on order.

NATO Air Command chief Normal James Hecker was additionally current on the signing of the letter at Ramstein Air Pressure Base in Germany.

Sweden and Finland utilized to hitch NATO in Might 2022, jolted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine into ending a long time of their place of “non-alignment.”

Their functions have been held up by Turkey and Hungary, who’re but to ratify the memberships.

One of many many causes cited by Russian President Vladimir Putin as justification for his invasion of Ukraine has been NATO’s enlargement because the Chilly Warfare.

Nevertheless, Russia’s warfare in Ukraine led to additional enlargement of the alliance, and elevated co-operation and protection spending by its members.

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