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Press release

Swedish Fighter Aircraft Deployed to Iceland

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On Monday, 2 February, a group consisting of six Swedish JAS 39 Gripen aircraft landed at Keflavík Air Base, Iceland. During February–March, the Swedish Air Force will contribute to NATO’s incident preparedness, NATO Air Policing. This is the 55th rotation for Iceland—the first for the Swedish Air Force and for Skaraborg Air Wing F 7.

This is the first time a Swedish contingent is responsible for NATO Air Policing in Iceland. Sweden’s NATO ally, Iceland, does not have its own armed forces. Therefore, responsibility for air policing rotates among different members of the Alliance.

On Monday, 2 February, a group consisting of six Swedish JAS 39 Gripen aircraft landed at Keflavík Air Base, Iceland. During February–March, the Swedish Air Force will contribute to NATO’s incident preparedness, NATO Air Policing. This is the 55th rotation for Iceland—the first for the Swedish Air Force and for Skaraborg Air Wing F 7.

The contingent from Skaraborg Air Wing F 7, reinforced by personnel from the rest of the Swedish Air Force, consists of just over 110 members.

– We have been planning this operation for a long time, and it feels both interesting and important given the current international security situation. The mission is aimed at the collective defence of Icelandic airspace, and it feels good to be able to contribute, says Lieutenant Colonel Johan Legardt, Detachment Commander.

The contingent has been preparing for an extended period. Once on site in Iceland, work has been intensive to ensure that everything functions as intended.

– Sweden is stepping up as a new member of NATO on the northern flank and is focusing, among other things, on the Arctic. The aircraft and our personnel are ready for the mission, says Lieutenant Colonel Johan Legardt.

NATO Air Policing incident preparedness will take place during February–March 2026.