Sweden to send fighter jets and ships to Finland to patrol the border with Russia

Sweden's armed forces will in the near future send Gripen fighter jets and warships to Finland to patrol dangerous areas along the Finnish-Russian border, the Swedish public broadcaster SVT reported on Friday.

The outlet also does not rule out that there may be a need to send counter-drone units in the fall. SVT notes that the Swedish government made the decision on military support at Finland's request.

"Cooperation with Sweden will complement Finland's national efforts. In this way, the countries bear responsibility for the security of their immediate territory and NATO's eastern border," a press release from Finland's Ministry of Defense said on Friday.

"Aviation and naval cooperation is already an integral part of our bilateral and Nordic cooperation. It is natural that we are now developing it through cooperation in the field of territorial surveillance and the protection of territorial integrity," Finnish Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen was quoted as saying.

Source: Interfax