Air force commanders from Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden have signed a letter of intent to create a unified Nordic air defense aimed at countering the rising threat from Russia. The move to integrate the air forces was triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February last year, which prompted increased security concerns across Europe. The Nordic countries have been increasingly concerned about the assertive behavior of Russia and the growing instability in the region. The four nations have signed a letter of intent to create a joint air defense, which will involve sharing resources, joint training exercises, and cooperation in other areas.
According to the statement released by the four countries armed forces, the intention is to operate jointly based on already-known ways of operating under NATO. The Nordic countries have been working together for several years to enhance their military capabilities, with a focus on air and naval forces. The integration of their air forces is seen as a natural progression of this cooperation, as it will provide a more efficient and effective way to counter the growing Russian threat.
The combined Nordic fleet is comparable to that of a large European country, according to the commander of the Danish air force, Major General Jan Dam. Norway has 57 F-16 fighter jets and 37 F-35 fighter jets with 15 more of the latter on order. Finland has 62 F/A-18 Hornet jets and 64 F-35s on order, while Denmark has 58 F-16s and 27 F-35s on order. Sweden has more than 90 Gripen jets. It is unclear how many of those planes are operational.
The Nordic air force commanders first discussed the closer cooperation at a meeting in November in Sweden. They have been working on a joint air defense for several months and have now signed a letter of intent to formalize their cooperation. The signing took place at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany last week and was attended by NATO Air Command chief General James Hecker, who also oversees the US Air Force in the region.
“We would like to see if we can integrate our airspace surveillance more so we can use radar data from each other’s surveillance systems and use them collectively,” Dam said. “We are not doing that today.”
The Nordic countries have been increasing their cooperation with NATO in recent years, with Sweden and Finland applying to join the transatlantic military alliance last year. However, the process has been held up by Turkey, which along with Hungary has yet to ratify the memberships.
The joint air defense is seen as a significant step in enhancing the region’s defense capabilities, which have been a cause for concern given the rising tensions between Russia and Western nations. The Nordic countries have long maintained a policy of neutrality, but the growing threats from Russia have prompted a shift in their security posture.
The joint air defense will enable the Nordic countries to better coordinate their defense efforts and respond more effectively to any threats to their security. The move is also likely to have significant geopolitical implications, as it will further enhance the military capabilities of the Nordic countries and their ability to project power in the region.
The integration of the Nordic air forces is also likely to have significant economic benefits, as it will lead to greater efficiency and cost savings. The joint procurement of equipment and sharing of resources will enable the countries to reduce their defense budgets while maintaining a high level of readiness.
Aljazeera
