Finnish Government publication on 2 February 2024
"In 2024, Finland is participating in NATO's peacetime joint defense tasks with one ship of the navy and a flight detachment of up to eight fighters of the air force. For the navy, it is about the tasks of the permanent mine countermeasures detachment in the Baltic Sea, and for the air force, the Air Shielding activities of NATO's air defense in Romania, Bulgaria and the Black Sea," says the Minister of Defense Antti Häkkänen.
NATO's air defense tasks are carried out by regular rotations of the allied countries. The participation of the fighter division of the Finnish Air Force in NATO's air defense activities (Air Policing) in Romania, Bulgaria and the Black Sea would be scheduled for the period between June 3 and July 31, 2024. The size of the department would be a maximum of eight fighters and about 70-100 people. The tasks of the units participating in the Air Shielding operation include air policing, armed patrol flights under the leadership of NATO's integrated air and missile defense, as well as unarmed joint operation training and creating deterrence with a military show of force. According to the current plan, the staff would consist entirely of regular staff.
The article is not clear if the Finnish fighters will deploy abroad or operate from their homebase.
Source: https://valtioneuvosto.fi/-/suomi-on-os ... mavoimilla
This is a subscription only section
Want to read more? It's only €10/year.
No account yet? Just Create an account first and head to the shop