The sun is just rising when the silver tanker of the French Air Force starts from southern France towards northern Sweden.
Sending a French transport aircraft Airbus A330 MRTT (Multi Role Tanker Transport) is part of the Pegase High North mission in the northernmost Swedish air base in Lulea. This is the third visit of French Air Force this year this year – and proof of an important return of Paris. In this way, he wants to send a signal that after decades focus mainly on the region of the Indo-Pacific and Sahel now he intends to focus on European defense.
It also a sign of strengthening cooperation between two European defensive powers – And at an accidental moment. There is also a time when the continent increases the army expenses to counteract Russia's threat. In the face of an increase in uncertainty about the involvement of the United States in the security of Europe under the rule of President Donald Trump, these countries want to send an important signal – that The continent will manage even without the help of the US.
– We show that we are able to traverse all of Europe in half a day – said General Patrice Hugret, commander of the French mission crew.
“As part of the unprecedented mission, the French Air and Space forces went to the Far North. Our Rafale aircraft, supported by dedicated tanks, are on the way to Sweden, where they will take part in joint exercises with our Scandinavian allies. Commenting on the mission.
“This mission shows the extraordinary ability of our air forces to quickly distribute [samolotów] On a large scale, both independently and in cooperation with our European allies, “he added.
The accession of Sweden and Finland to NATO – and breaking through these countries with decades of neutrality – causes that the attention of the world is more and more focusing on the Arctic. This region becomes a source of growing tensions between NATO and Russia and even China.
This makes the Swedish base “an ideal place to protect the border in the east” – said Colonel Peter Greberg, commander of the air base in Lulea. – We are about 600 to 700 km from the first Russian military base. From a flight perspective, it is not so far away – he added.
Paris and Stockholm are very different in terms of geographical location. Sweden is an arctic country that shares the sea border with Russia, while France lies on the southern wing of NATO and borders the Mediterranean. Despite this, they are surprisingly similar when it comes to defense policy – and they bring their positions even more about this.
Laura Kayali / Politico
French rafale fighters on the way from France to northern Sweden
Both countries emphasize the need to create military self -sufficiency, which includes a powerful, broadly extensive defense industry and armed forces capable of defending their own territory without much help from outside.
– We have been forced to develop a complete set of abilities for our air forces. [Przed przystąpieniem do NATO] We could not rely on anyone else – said Division General Jonas Wikman, commander of the Swedish Air Force, standing in front of French fighters Rafale and Swedish gripens on the airport plate in Lulea.
“It's something that connects us,” repeated General Nicolas Chambaz responsible for international relations in the French Air and Space forces. “Sweden and France are easily cooperated because they have exactly the same approach,” he added.
A long tradition of cooperation
Military ties between France and Sweden date back to the 17th century in 1631, by virtue of the Barwalde Treaty, Paris agreed to provide financial support to the Nordic country in the Thirty Years' War against Austria Habsburgs. Moreover, the Swedish royal family is derived from the rebellious Napoleonic commander [założycielem panującej dynastii Bernadotte był marszałek francuski Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte].
French President Emmanuel Macron is working on strengthening these ties. In January 2024 he will pay a state visit to Sweden. Also the premiere of this country Ulf Kristersson has been in Paris several times this year, including in order to participate in the “Coalition of Volunteer Coalitions” meeting of allied countries with Ukraine.
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General Micael Byten, the highest commander of the Swedish armed forces until 2024, he took his first foreign journey after Sweden to NATO to France. Macron, in turn, recently appointed Thierry Carler – deputy head of the DGA arms agency – the French ambassador in Sweden.
“The geopolitical context brings us closer together,” Carlinier said.
Cooperation enriched with competition
Close relations do not mean complete harmony. Producers of weapons of these countries are fierce rivals – the French company Dassault and the Swedish Saab compete, for example, for contracts for the supply of fighters to South America. The Swedish industrial and military complex is also more closely related to the United States than the French.
Despite the competition of MBDA and Saab, they also undertook to deepen their cooperation. Both Paris and Stockholm participate in the European Armaments project of the European Long-Langge Strike Approach.
“Partnership with Sweden opens the way to mutual purchases,” said Carlier. He confirmed that France is conducting talks on the purchase of SAAB Globaleye reconnaissance aircraft, which are to replace the aging Boeing E-3 Sentry Awacs aircraft. He also expressed the hope that both countries would strengthen cooperation in the field of air defense and the maritime sector.
Importantly, several French and Swedish officials have announced that Sweden is also one of the European countries most interested in Macron's proposal regarding talks on the use of French nuclear weapons to protect Europe.
Laura Kayali / Politico
French fighter Rafale on the way to Lulea in northern Sweden
This topic was raised during the March meeting of the Swedish defense minister Pal Jonson with his French equivalent Sebastien Lecorn in Paris. Rafale aircraft sent to Lulea as part of the Pegase High North surgery were able to carry nuclear weapons.
– The issue of European nuclear deterrence is in the background. We follow it very carefully, adapting our reactions to how they behave and what actions Americans take – said Jakob Hallgren, director of the Swedish Institute of International Affairs. Thus, he referred to the growing fears of the credibility of the United States under Trump's rule.
NATO defense plans
In winter, when it is snowing almost around the clock and there is darkness, conditions at the Air Base in Lulea – a strongly guarded airport located at the end of a long road surrounded by high trees – are very difficult.
When Gripen and Rafale aircraft rise into blue, spring sky, there is practically no trace of the cold after the cold.
“There are more and more air forces to Lulea,” said Stefan Kaarle, a pilot serving in the Swedish Air Force for 30 years. – This is currently quite an important area of the world and many NATO countries want to show that it can work in the far north – he added.
The geographical proximity of Sweden to Russia, and earlier to the Soviet Union, forced Swedish pilots to learn how to land on roads and highways – this technique requires special logistics and support. This skill can be useful for other NATO allies, because it limits dependence on airports, which can be an easier target for enemy forces.
“We don't necessarily need it in France, but it's good to have several tools at our disposal,” said Colonel Frederic Dalorso, deputy commander of the PEGASE High North mission.
One of the goals of the French mission, he explained, is to practice NATO's regional defense plans. The French are working on improving their skills, Agile Combat Employment – a NATO maneuvers scheme, which assumes fast and long flights – while the Swedes are training refueling their combat aircraft from the French MRTT. Military specialists decided that After the Americans are withdrawn from the Old Continent, refueling in the air will be a key gap in Europeans' skills.
In Lulea, Sweden and France worked, among others over logistics, using local mechanics and local spare parts in their exercises. More broadly, the goal of the PEGASE High North mission is also to identify the preferred areas of activities for NATO regional defense plans.
– If we have to leave [na misję] In six months or a year, contacts will already be established – said Dalorso.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
