![British CDS Admiral Tony Radakin and Swedish Supreme Commander, general Micael Bydén meeting media after the JEF meeting at Norrbotten Wing, Lulea, Sweden feb 15th.]()
British Admiral Sir Tony Radakin and Supreme Commander Micael Bydén at the press conference held at F21.
Photo: Jesper Sundstrom/Swedish Armed Forces
“The JEF cooperation involves 10 countries that have agreed to a joint operation when the time comes. That is what we are working on at present. We have discussed a broad number of issues, from capability development to joint exercises and operations, and we have also shared information on the security situation in Ukraine”, says Supreme Commander Micael Bydén.
Given Russia’s military build-up on the borders of Ukraine, and the series of naval exercises happening concurrently across the Atlantic, Mediterranean and Pacific, the chiefs of defence also discussed how the JEF can complement and support NATO as part of a unified response to this unprecedented challenge to Euro-Atlantic security.
“The JEF continues to demonstrate its effectiveness in contributing to security in the High North, the North Atlantic and Baltic Sea. In a world defined by competition and confrontation, it is vital that like-minded nations like ours come together to protect our shared values and defend the rules and freedoms that underpin security and stability in Europe”, says Sir Tony Radakin, Chief of the Defence Staff for the United Kingdom.
The Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) is a UK-led force comprising the cooperation between 10 countries. Current members are Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Iceland, the UK and Sweden.