Sweden to send fighter jets to patrol around Greenland as part of NATO's Arctic Sentry

Sweden is contributing Gripen fighter jets to NATO's Arctic Sentry mission, aimed at boosting deterrence and security in the strategically vital Arctic region. The deployment focuses on patrolling around Greenland and Iceland.

Reuters

February 12, 2026

Sweden to send fighter jets to patrol around Greenland as part of NATO's Arctic Sentry

A drone view of Nuuk, Greenland, February 7, 2026.

Stoyan Nenov/Reuters

Sweden will patrol around Iceland and Greenland with Gripen fighter jets as part of NATO's Arctic Sentry mission, it said on Thursday.

NATO said on Wednesday it had launched the mission to strengthen its presence in the Arctic, part of an effort to defuse severe tensions within the alliance prompted by U.S. President Donald Trump's push for the U.S. to acquire Greenland.

"This strengthens deterrence, protects our common interests, and contributes to stability in a region that is crucial for Europe and transatlantic cooperation," Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said in a statement.

"Sweden will initially contribute to Arctic Sentry with JAS 39 Gripen aircraft in the area around Iceland and Greenland," he said.

-Reporting by Louise Rasmussen, editing by Anna Ringstrom/Reuters