In a historic first as a NATO member, Swedish JAS-39 Gripen aircraft took to the skies over the Baltic Sea under NATO arrangements, alongside German Eurofighters and Belgian F-16 quick-reaction alert planes, to intercept Russian aircraft.
The NATO air command disclosed this development on March 11, highlighting the successful integration of Gripen jets with NATO forces during their interception of a Russian AN-29 and TU-134, alongside Belgian F-16s and German Eurofighters.
Both Allies visually confirmed the presence of a Russian Tu-134 deviating from its flight plan. Later that day, NATO radar detected another Russian An-26, prompting the CAOC to alert German Quick Reaction Alert Interceptors at Lielvarde to launch and gather further information. Läs artikel