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Finnish and Swedish fighter jets conducted their first joint operational identification flight on Thursday, identifying Russian military aircraft in international airspace over the Gulf of Finland, the Finnish Air Force said.
The mission involved Finnish F/A-18 Hornet and Swedish JAS 39 Gripen fighters, which identified a Russian Tu-134 transport aircraft, along with MiG-31 and Su-30 fighter jets, according to a statement issued on Friday.
Mission conducted under bilateral air cooperation
The flight was led by Finland’s Air Operations Center as part of bilateral cooperation aimed at monitoring and protecting the two countries’ airspace.
“The deeper cooperation that began this autumn enables joint operational reconnaissance flights and the use of standby fighters at the other country’s bases,” said Col. Vesa Mantyla, chief of operations of the Finnish Air Force.
Swedish Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. Jonas Wikman said years of cooperation had enabled the two air forces to operate together.
“This is what close cooperation looks like in practice. Thanks to years of cooperation built on trust and strong personal relationships, we can now operate seamlessly together – as air forces, nations and allies,” he said.
Fighters can use bases across the border
The Finnish Air Force said fighter jets normally remain on alert at bases in their own countries, but can use bases across the border when operational requirements demand it.
The two air forces have also conducted cross-border training flights almost weekly for years, the Finnish Air Force added.
