Large NATO exercise featuring Swedish JAS Gripen

The Swedish Air Force participates in the large-scale NATO exercise Ramstein Flag 2025. NATO Allied Air Command (AIRCOM) and the Royal Netherlands Air Force are behind the exercise, in which over 90 fighter jets will carry out realistic combat scenarios. This will truly be an opportunity to showcase the JAS Gripen as air forces around the world halt purchases of American fighter aircraft.

On March 31, the exercise kicks off over the North Sea, with 12 air bases and more than 90 fighter jets engaging in combat scenarios to “train their ability to achieve air superiority and defend against emerging threats.” NATO’s Allied Air Command (AIRCOM) conducts Ramstein Flag under the leadership of the Royal Netherlands Air Force. From Sweden, the Skaraborg Air Wing F 7 will participate, operating from Leeuwarden Air Base in the Netherlands.

Seventeen NATO nations will deploy aircraft from bases in the Netherlands, Denmark, the United Kingdom, and Germany to a training area over the North Sea. The 17 participating nations are the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, the Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, the United Kingdom, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Sweden, Turkey, and the United States.

Ramstein Flag 2025 aims to provide allied forces with advanced training to enhance their readiness to respond swiftly when NATO’s collective defense commitments are activated.
– Ramstein Flag 2025 underscores the alliance’s determination to adapt and deter potential threats across the Euro-Atlantic region, said General James Hecker, Commander of NATO’s Allied Air Command. This exercise builds on the successes of previous years and continues to push the boundaries of realistic, high-intensity training.

The Swedish Air Force has stated that “our participation underscores Sweden’s commitment to NATO’s collective defense and our ability to collaborate with allies to strengthen security in the Euro-Atlantic region.”

At the same time, Flygtorget reports that the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has signed an agreement for additional procurement of Meteor air-to-air missiles for the JAS Gripen. The missile system is designed to engage targets at long range and can be used with the JAS Gripen C/D and E.
– The additional procurement of Meteor is part of further enhancing the Swedish Armed Forces’ air defense capability, both nationally and as part of NATO, said Martin Anderberg, Head of Fighter Aircraft Systems at FMV.

Last week, foreign media reported that Canada is looking towards Europe as U.S. policy has complicated the purchase of the F-35.
– Canada is actively considering potential alternatives to the U.S.-built F-35 stealth fighter and will engage in discussions with competing aircraft manufacturers, said Defense Minister Bill Blair last week.

This concerns future acquisitions that could involve European suppliers, such as Saab. As early as 2022, Saab made an offer to Canada regarding the Gripen E, but Canada opted for the F-35 at that time.