It comes just weeks after Finland and Sweden applied to join NATO and is part of an “increased presence in the region”, the RAF said. The presence was requested by both countries. Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said: “Finland and Sweden are important defense partners and we welcome their applications to join NATO, which will make the alliance stronger as we face a new threat in Europe. “These deployments underscore our determination to strengthen this partnership and ensure our forces can work together seamlessly.” British fighter jets have carried out “high-level combat training” with Finnish F-18 Hornets and Swedish Gripen jets, the RAF said. Swedish Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist said the joint exercises “strengthen our ability to operate together in response to a crisis in our neighbourhood”. “This is especially important in today’s challenging security environment.” Read more: Finland, Sweden set to join NATO after Turkey withdraws objection A bad day for Vladimir Putin as Sweden and Finland were invited to join NATO – but at what cost? The UK signed mutual security assurance declarations with Finland and Sweden in May. They are also both members of the UK-led Joint Task Force, a 10-nation coalition.
