Swedish fighter jets have begun patrolling NATO airspace from Polish territory—marking the first such operation since the country joined the Alliance.
Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson, who visited the Polish city of Malbork near Gdańsk for the occasion, called the event a “historic day.”
For the first time, Swedish combat aircraft are participating in a NATO air patrol mission beyond our national borders. Sweden is now contributing to the security of the Alliance not only on land and at sea but also in the air, Jonson stated.
Earlier, on March 31, Sweden announced its largest military aid package for Ukraine, amounting to nearly $1.6 billion. Additionally, the Swedish government plans to increase defense spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2030 and allocate approximately $10 million for the modernization of civil defense shelters.
