In a landmark deployment, six Swedish Gripen fighter aircraft and a contingent of personnel from Skaraborg Air Wing F7 have arrived in Iceland.
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Press Release, Ramstein, 06 February 2026: Swedish JAS 39 Gripen deployment to Iceland marks historic moment for NATO’s newest Ally. In a landmark deployment, six Swedish JAS 39 Gripen fighter aircraft and a contingent of more than 110 personnel from Skaraborg Air Wing F7 have arrived at Keflavík Air Base.
This rotation, running from early February to mid-March 2026, represents the first time the Swedish Air Force have led NATO’s Icelandic air policing mission since their accession to NATO in March 2024. Air Policing is a cornerstone of NATO’s collective defence posture. Since 2008 Allied air forces have periodically deployed to Iceland to provide Airborne Surveillance and Interception Capabilities to meet Iceland’s Peacetime Preparedness Needs, also known as the ASIC IPPN mission.
The Swedish detachment comprises six JAS 39 Gripen multi-role fighters, known for their agility, advanced sensors, and interoperability with NATO command and control systems. The aircraft are supported by pilots, maintainers, and support staff who will maintain a continuous Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) capability, monitoring NATO airspace across a strategically vital corridor linking North America and Europe.
“We have been planning this operation for a long time, and it feels both interesting and important given the current international security situation,” said Lieutenant Colonel Johan Legardt, Sweden’s detachment Commander. “The mission is aimed at the collective defence of Icelandic airspace, and it feels good to be able to contribute” he added.
Source: Allied Air Command Public Affairs Office
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