The Russian invasion of Ukraine has changed the European geopolitical scene.
Countries like Sweden and Finland abandoned dozens of years of neutrality and applied for NATO membership.
Switzerland, the definition of neutrality for centuries, has joined in the sanctions against Moscow.
Now, the four largest Nordic countries have come together to create one joint air force that will bolster more than 250 modern combat fighter jets.
A Joint Nordic Air Force
A few weeks ago, the chiefs of the Finnish, Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish air forces announced that they had signed an agreement to operate as one Joint Nordic Air Force.
To be sure, the four Nordic countries already shared a high level of interoperability, but this agreement will take their capabilities a step further. The new Joint Nordic Air Force will train, plan, and operate as one. Recruitment of troops and procurement of aircraft will still be done within the borders of the individual members. But the combat-ready crews and aircraft will operate as one.
“There is obvious interest in a regional initiative for a joint air command on NATO’s northern flank. We know the conditions in the High North well, and we have a lot to learn from each other. With a total of almost 250 modern combat aircraft, this will be a large combat force that must be coordinated,” Chief of the Royal Norwegian Air Force Maj. General Rolf Folland said.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has shown the importance of air power in modern combat. The Russian Aerospace Forces have failed to achieve air dominance over the Ukrainian skies, and as a result, the Russian military has been less effective on the ground.
The establishment of the Joint Nordic Air Force on Russia’s northwestern flank will further increase the deterrence potential of NATO. It also has the potential to prove extremely useful to the United States, especially in the event of hostilities with China in the Indo-Pacific, which would force the Pentagon to divert resources to the East.
But what about the fighter jets that make up the new Joint Nordic Air Force?
The Aircraft
When it comes to fighter jets, the four air forces bolster a solid arsenal. With the addition of support aircraft, the four air forces can field about 250 modern combat aircraft. This number roughly matches the strength of the French Air Force and Royal Air Force, some of the biggest players in European military aviation.
More specifically, the Swedish Air Force flies about 70 JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets. The Royal Norwegian Air Force operates 30 F-35A Lighting II stealth fighter jets and is expecting an additional 12 combat versions of the aircraft to join its ranks. The Finnish Air Force flies 55 F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets but recently put an order for 64 F-35A Lighting II jets. Finally, the Royal Danish Air Force operates 30 F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets but is waiting for 20 F-35 Lighting II jets.
The Joint Nordic Air Force creates a formidable air force in NATO’s northern flank.
A 19FortyFive Defense and National Security Columnist, Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations, a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ), and a Johns Hopkins University graduate. His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.
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