🇸🇪🚩Sweden has participated in NATO's Steadfast Noon nuclear exercises for the second year in a row.

The Swedish Air Force has deployed its JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets to 🇮🇹Italy to participate in the role of escorting allied aircraft, certified to carry American B61 nuclear bombs. It is known that, at a minimum, the 🇳🇱F-35A fighter jets of the Dutch Air Force and 🇩🇪Tornado fighter jets of the German Air Force are also involved in these exercises.

The Swedish JAS 39 Gripen aircraft are practicing elements of escort, air defense suppression, reconnaissance, and other tasks related to supporting nuclear operations (Support of Nuclear Operations with Conventional Air Tactics).

❗️It is noteworthy that on June 30, 2026, 🇺🇦Ukraine and 🇸🇪Sweden signed an agreement to purchase 16 Gripen E fighter jets for €2.5 billion (funded by an EU loan to Ukraine). The first of these will be delivered to the Ukrainian Air Force as early as 2029.

✨That is, by that time, Ukrainian crews could potentially be carrying out missions to escort NATO aircraft carrying nuclear bombs. This is another sign of Ukraine's de facto integration into NATO, without formal membership in the alliance.

⚡️Two Majors