Sweden’s military has increased air preparedness after Russian warplanes repeatedly flew close to its airspace over the Baltic Sea.
Sweden’s military said on Saturday it had sent two pairs of JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets into the air on Friday to intercept two Russian fighter jets flying over the Baltic Sea and near Swedish airspace. TASR informs about it according to the report of the AFP agency.
The two incidents, involving Russian Su-24 and Su-34 aircraft, occurred in the southern and northern parts of the Baltic Sea. The army clarified that the NATO fighters took off to “ensure security in the common airspace”.
Sweden has increased its air preparedness
Sweden’s airspace was not violated in connection with these incidents, the military claims.
“Russia’s actions are serious and represent a recurring pattern of behavior that threatens our territorial integrity and security,” Vice Admiral Ewa Skoog Haslum said in a statement.
In a press release published on its website, the army added that due to the worsening security situation in the past period, Sweden has adjusted its stance and increased the readiness of its air force to be ready to face the increased threat to allied airspace.
