STOCKHOLM, Feb 12 (Reuters) – Sweden will patrol the skies of the Arctic with fighter jets and send soldiers to carry out exercises in Greenland as part of the Arctic Sentry mission of the Western military alliance North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the country said on Thursday, in the latest European military contribution in response to plans by US President Donald Trump. to Greenland.
NATO announced on Wednesday that it had launched the mission to reinforce its presence in the Arctic, as part of an effort to ease tensions within the alliance caused by Trump’s push to acquire Greenland, a territory belonging to Denmark, which is also a member of NATO.
“This strengthens deterrence, protects our common interests and contributes to stability in a region that is crucial for Europe and transatlantic cooperation,” Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said in a statement.
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‘Sweden will initially contribute to Arctic Sentry with JAS 39 Gripen aircraft in the area around Iceland and Greenland,’ he said.
The Swedish Armed Forces said in a separate statement that an unspecified number of Swedish soldiers will also be present on the ground in Greenland.
“Swedish Air Force Rangers and Army Rangers will carry out exercises in Greenland for a few weeks,” the Armed Forces said.
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(Reportagem by Louise Rasmussen and Johan Ahlander)
