FOR the first time in history, air force commanders from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland signed a letter of intent to create a Unified Nordic Air Defense aimed at preventing any expansion plans by Russia.
The four air force commanders signed the Nordic Air Commanders’ Intent in a recent conference at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany.
The deal is the first of its kind between the four Nordic countries and will serve as the foundation for a unified and stronger regional air defense.
Under the new agreement, the four Nordic countries will operate a joint fleet of more than 250 modern fighter jets, with their combined forces comparable to a large European nation.
The defense partnership will cover joint exercises and drills, integrated command and control, flexible deployment of forces, operational planning and execution, as well as joint airspace patrols.
All four nations have agreed to cooperate under the guidelines set by NATO even though Sweden and Finland are not yet official members of the world’s largest military alliance.
The Danish Air Force noted that they want to develop a “Scandinavian concept of joint air operations” which could lead to the creation of a “mini NATO” that would ensure formidable and unified air force capability.
Although none of the documents mentioned Russia, the commander of the Danish Air Force said that the full-scale invasion of Ukraine influenced the historic decision.
