Sweden Sends Gripen Jets to NATO Nuclear-Deterrence Exercise in Italy
Sweden will send JAS 39 Gripen aircraft and armed forces personnel to NATO's annual nuclear-deterrence exercise Steadfast Noon in Italy, starting October 13, the government announced on Friday, October 9. Sweden's stated role is conventional support, and no live nuclear weapons will be used.
NATO says 17 countries will participate in the long-planned exercise, which trains personnel and tests procedures for its nuclear deterrent, and describes it as routine training unrelated to current events. Allied aircraft capable of carrying nuclear weapons also take part.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson says Sweden's participation contributes to the alliance's security, while Defence Minister Pal Jonson describes the exercise as a demonstration of readiness to protect NATO members.
The announcement gave neither the number of Gripens nor the size of the personnel contingent. The deployment marks a public Swedish role in the alliance's nuclear-deterrence training framework since joining NATO.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：Saab JAS-39C Gripen, Sweden - Air Force AN2279593.jpg，作者：Oleg V. Belyakov - AirTeamImages，授权：CC BY-SA 3.0，来源：Wikimedia Commons
