Finland, Sweden vigilant and closely integrated into NATO Air Policing on Baltic Sea

The Finnish and Swedish fighter jets conducted the interception in close cooperation and coordination with the NATO CAOC. The routine mission confirms the level of integration both Allies have achieved within NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence Systems and the Alliance’s Air Policing arrangements for the Baltic Sea.

Finnish and Swedish Air Forces protect the territorial integrity of their airspace, which has become NATO airspace, and survey adjacent airspace over the Baltic Sea with their national QRA forces. Both Allies’ national Air Operations Centres ensure fighter control during national QRA sorties and coordinate them with NATO’s CAOC, which is responsible for NATO Air Policing in northern Europe.

Allied arrangements ensure the integrity of NATO airspace in the Baltic Sea region 24/7 and contribute to the safety of the airspace for all its users.