RAF fighter jets fly to Sweden and Finland for training exercises

According to the MoD, six Royal Air Force fighter jets flew to Finland and Sweden in support of joint training exercises.

RAF fighter jets fly to Sweden and Finland for training exercises

According to the MoD, six Royal Air Force fighter jets flew to Finland and Sweden in support of joint training exercises.

Ben Wallace, Defence Secretary, stated that the deployment was at both countries' request and reflected the UK's commitment towards strengthening collective defense capabilities.

This exercise also tracks the applications of countries to join NATO following Russia's invasion in Ukraine.

Two F-35 jets, which are cutting-edge and advanced, will be part of the event.

Officials from the UK defense said that they are training alongside four RAF Typhoons and F-18 Hornets from Finland, as well as four Swedish Gripen aircraft.

According to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the purpose of the training exercise was to help the three air forces improve their ability to work alongside one another.

Mr Wallace stated that Sweden and Finland are "important defense partners" and that joining NATO would "make the alliance more powerful as we face a renewed danger in Europe".

He said, "These deployments demonstrate our determination to strengthen that partnership and ensure that our forces can work together seamlessly."

Peter Hultqvist, the Swedish defense minister, stated that the training would "enhance our ability to work together in response to a crises in our neighborhood".

He stated, "This is especially important in today’s challenging security environment."

Regularly, the RAF participates in air policing missions of NATO members over eastern Europe. This includes patrolling the airspace of Romania, the Baltic states Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia, which are members of the Western defensive alliance.

Finland recently announced its intention to buy an F-35 fighter jet from Lockheed Martin. It is a single-seat fighter aircraft.

These aircraft are some of the most expensive and advanced jets in the UK. They cost almost PS100m each and can land vertically, similar to Harrier Jump Jets.

According to the MoD, the exercises are a "practical demonstration of" the mutual security assurance agreements the UK signed in May with Finland and Sweden.

This declaration was made before Sweden and Finland submitted formal applications to Nato in June. It represented a significant shift for two countries with long histories of wartime neutrality.

Russia strongly opposes their joining and has threatened to stop them from doing so. Finland shares an 830-mile (1.340km) border area with Russia

Initial hurdles were encountered when Turkey opposed their membership due to what it considered Sweden and Finland's willingness host Kurdish militants. To join NATO, applicants must get the approval of all thirty members.

However, the opposition was lifted in June when Turkey signed a security deal that resolved its concerns at Madrid's recent Nato Summit.

Both European Union member countries are also members the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force. This is a coalition of 10 countries.