Stockholm, 30 September (H.S.): Sweden will deploy its Gripen fighter aircraft to Poland from October as part of a NATO airspace surveillance mission, the Swedish government said on Wednesday.

According to the government, the aircraft will reinforce NATO’s air and missile defence capabilities while contributing to the protection of a strategically important logistics hub in southeastern Poland. The facility is used to deliver military and civilian assistance to Ukraine.

Sweden, which joined NATO in 2024, previously provided fighter aircraft for the mission in 2025.

Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson said the deteriorating security environment and repeated violations of NATO airspace had increased the need for a high level of military readiness along the alliance’s eastern flank.

The Swedish government said the Gripen aircraft, manufactured by Swedish defence company Saab, will remain primarily stationed in Sweden and contribute to the mission from there.

The deployment underscores Sweden’s continued contribution to NATO’s collective airspace security efforts following its accession to the alliance.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar