In a historic step, four Nordic countries announced the combining of their fighter jet fleets under one operational command on Friday, March 24th, creating Europe’s most formidable fighter fleet after Russia’s.
According to statements published by the respective authorities, a declaration of intent for deeper cooperation was signed last week by the air chiefs of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland, which is described as “the foundation for a single Nordic air defense.”
The combined fleet of the four Nordic countries will have roughly 250 fighter jets at its disposal, which—surpassing the French fleet of around 230 jets—will be the largest among the Western allies in Europe, second only to Russia’s seven hundred aircraft on the continent (according to the Global Fire Power index).
Although two of the signatories (Finland and Sweden) are not officially NATO members yet, the declaration—signed in the presence of NATO Air Command at the U.S.’ Ramstein Air Base in southwest Germany—makes it clear that the new joint fighter fleet is created to be functionally integrated into the larger NATO operational command.
“The ultimate goal is to be able to operate seamlessly together as one force by developing a Nordic concept for joint air operations based on already known NATO methodology,” the statement published by the Danish defense ministry.
The declaration of intent identifies four areas of action to pursue greater cooperation in, including integrated command and control with joint planning and execution, flexible placement of air forces, common airspace monitoring, and joint training and exercises.
“The sum of these efforts will enable a holistic approach to air forces in the Nordic countries,” the statement reads, adding that “the Nordic Response and Arctic Challenge Exercise will be used as milestones for the joint efforts.”
The joint fighter fleet not only holds operational advantages but clear strategic—security and deterrence—perspectives as well. Even if the two NATO applicants will not be admitted to the Atlantic alliance for another few months, this partnership ensures that a threat or attack on one of them is automatically answered by all four Nordic countries as far as air defense is concerned.
“This is an important step towards strengthening our common security,” Finland’s air force commander Brigadier General Pasi Jokinen said.
