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Sweden deploys Patriot to strengthen NATO’s Eastern Flank

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The Swedish Armed Forces is deploying the Patriot air defence system to Poland to strengthen the protection of NATO’s eastern flank. The Swedish forces will protect the logistics hub in south-eastern Poland that plays a key role in providing military and civilian support to Ukraine.

Patriot

The Patriot air defence system is a highly advanced, ground-based air and missile defence system .

Photo: Försvarsmakten

This will be the first time that Sweden deploys the Patriot surface-to-air missile system on a NATO mission. The Patriot air defence system is a highly advanced, ground-based air and missile defence system designed primarily to protect forces and critical areas from airborne threats. It will be operated by a crew from the Air Defence Regiment (Lv 6), with support from the Blekinge Air Wing (F 17).

The mission includes protecting NATO’s logistics hub in Poland, which supports the delivery of military and civilian assistance to Ukraine within the framework of NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU). The Swedish force will also contribute to NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence and will operate under NATO command.

“As Allies, we share responsibility for protecting and defending NATO territory. At the same time, supporting Ukraine remains a priority for Sweden. By deploying advanced capabilities from the Air Defence Regiment and Blekinge Air Wing, Sweden will strengthen NATO’s eastern flank in Poland while helping to protect the vital support effort for Ukraine,” says Chief of the Swedish Army Johan Pekkari.

The Air Defence Regiment will deploy the Patriot air defence system and approximately 100 personnel to protect NATO’s logistics hub in Rzeszów, Poland. 

“The security environment and the complexity of the mission place significant demands on the unit. We are well trained, well prepared and have the right composition to accomplish the mission,” says Sofia Westermark, Commander of the Air Defence Regiment.

The Air Defence Regiment has been tasked with carrying out the mission from the beginning of December until the end of the year and is planning to be able to continue the mission during the first half of 2027.