The fourth Arctic Challenge Exercise – and the biggest so far – took place in Scandinavia recently andfeatured upgraded Typhoon FGR4s of the RAF’s No 6 Squadron, Alan Warnes finds out.
Over the last decade, the Swedish Air Force has been working increasingly with its Finnish and Norwegian neighbours in cross-border training. Today, this is a regular feature of Sweden’s weekly military drills, with an especially tightknit relationship with Finland.
Politicians in both Stockholm and Helsinki are keen to foster a closer military relationship to counter Russia’s increasingly aggressive posture. There’s also a need to develop stronger working bonds with other forces. In 2013, Finland, Norway and Sweden launched the now biennial large-force Arctic Challenge Exercise (ACE), which includes foreign assets.
From May 22 to June 4, more than 100 fighters flew from three bases: Rovaniemi (Finland), Bodø (Norway) and Luleå-Kallax (Sweden). The foreign forces included eight US Marine Corps F/A-18s (Rovaniemi), 12 South Carolina Air National Guard F-16CJs and five No 6 Squadron Typhoons (Luleå-Kallax), plus four French Air Force Mirage 2000- 5Fs and ten Rafales and ten Luftwaffe Eurofighters (Bodø).
Ørland (Norway) ho…
