Sweden scrambled two fighter jets to intercept a pair of Russian bomber jets flying over the Baltic Sea on Tuesday, according to Försvarsmakten, the Swedish Armed Forces. The NATO nation scrambled two Jas 39 Gripen fighter jets to identify two Tu-22 Backfire bombers, which were then escorted by two Su-35 Flanker fighter jets.
Sweden’s response to the sightings of two Russian bomber jets is significant because it is one of seven instances in which NATO fighter jets were scrambled to intercept Russian aircrafts violating airspace regulations last week. The increase in these instances could lead to worsening relations between Russia and NATO.
With tensions increasing between Russia and the intergovernmental alliance, Moscow Defense Minister Andrei Belousov warned of war between Russia and NATO within the next decade.
In addition to Sweden, Finland also responded to the sighting of the Russian bomber jets by sending the F-18 Hornet fighter jets, which the Dutch F-35 Lightning II replaced as NATO’s Air Policing.
The Jas 39 Gripen, produced by Saab AB, is a Swedish fighter aircraft capable of conducting offensive and defensive operations and known for its high maneuverability. In September, Sweden announced that it would give Ukraine some Jas 39 Gripen jet spare parts as part of a $445 million military aid package.
Describing the Gripen, Justin Bronk of RUSI previously wrote that it “is explicitly designed to counter Russian [surface-to-air missiles] and fast jets by flying very low, having an internal electronic warfare suite, and being easy to maintain and operate from dispersed bases with mobile teams in vehicles.”
Tu-22 Backfire bombers, also known as Tu-22M3, are long-range missile carrier bombers produced by the Russian company Tupolev since 1978. The modern version of the bomber was produced in 2018.
The Su-35 Flanker fighter jets are Soviet Union-era planes introduced in the 1980s.
Sweden and Finland reported airspace violations conducted by Russia in June, and the two countries intercepted two countries intercepted two Russian fighter jets flying over the Baltic Sea in July.
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, the user NAFO Viking, a Ukraine supporter, wrote: “russian tu-22 bombers in Swedish airspace. Trying to scare us. Shoot them down now! Send a clear message.. we are done with russia. Creeps the lot.”
It remains to be seen whether tensions continue to increase between Russia and NATO as the nations scramble fighter jets to intercept Moscow’s missions.
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