Russia Warns Sweden and Finland Against NATO Membership
Erdogan has signed the decree and it's been published in the official paper, i.e. Turkey has finalized the ratification process for Sweden.
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The Hungarian parliament will vote “Yes” to Sweden’s NATO membership, the vote is likely to take place on Monday.
The Fidesz party group leader Kocsis Mate posted a document on Facebook 2 hours ago stating that Fidesz will vote “Yes”
The Fidesz party group leader Kocsis Mate posted a document on Facebook 2 hours ago stating that Fidesz will vote “Yes”
Let's see if they change their minds again. I hope not.
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Today, Hungary ratifies Sweden's accession to NATO, and in the Swedish Parliament discussions have begun on the execution of training Ukrainian pilots on JAS-39 Gripen* and their transfer to Ukraine, the opposition insists on immediate start of the procedure, — Aftonbladet
* Already taking place since last Sept.
https://www.kyivpost.com/analysis/21136
Swedish opposition, prior to tomorrow's probable ratification of Sweden's accession to NATO by Hungary, pressure the government to immediately start talks on the supply of JAS-39 Gripen to Ukraine.
A majority in parliament seems to support this move.
https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a...s-till-ukraina
* Already taking place since last Sept.
https://www.kyivpost.com/analysis/21136
Swedish opposition, prior to tomorrow's probable ratification of Sweden's accession to NATO by Hungary, pressure the government to immediately start talks on the supply of JAS-39 Gripen to Ukraine.
A majority in parliament seems to support this move.
https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a...s-till-ukraina
The parliament of Hungary has voted YES for Sweden.
Now it will be signed by the president of Hungary and delivered to the vault in the US and done deal.
Grattis Sverige!
Now it will be signed by the president of Hungary and delivered to the vault in the US and done deal.
Grattis Sverige!
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That is good news indeed.
the statement (in swedish)
https://www.svt.se/nyheter/inrikes/k...-ar-med-i-nato
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Still far, far more prepared than most countries in NATO, including the UK…
https://www.theguardian.com/commenti...nerable-attack
Sweden is joining Nato, but it’s hopelessly unprepared for war
https://www.theguardian.com/commenti...nerable-attack
Sweden is joining Nato, but it’s hopelessly unprepared for war
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Hungary’s new President Tamás Sulyok just signed the ratification of Sweden’s NATO membership application.
Welcome to NATO Sweden!
Welcome to NATO Sweden!
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A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer and a B-52H Stratofortress flew over Stockholm today together with 2 Swedish Jas-39 Gripen fighter jets.
Sweden will officially join NATO on Monday.
Sweden will officially join NATO on Monday.
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WASHINGTON (AP) — Sweden on Thursday formally joined NATO as the 32nd member of the transatlantic military alliance, ending decades of post-World War II neutrality as concerns about Russian aggression in Europe have spiked following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Secretary of State Antony Blinken presided at a ceremony in which Sweden’s “instrument of accession” to the alliance was officially deposited at the State Department.
“This is a historic moment for Sweden. It's historic for the alliance. It's history for the transatlantic relationship,” Blinken said. “Our NATO alliance is now stronger, larger than it’s ever been.”
Kristersson wrote in a social media post that “we are therefore a safer country.”
“This is a historic moment for Sweden. It's historic for the alliance. It's history for the transatlantic relationship,” Blinken said. “Our NATO alliance is now stronger, larger than it’s ever been.”
Kristersson wrote in a social media post that “we are therefore a safer country.”
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Geostrategically, the integration of Sweden and Finland is of tremendous value for a possible defence of the Baltics. For Kaliningrad the situation in case of war has massively deteriorated. And Kaliningrad is Moscow's outpost needed to make use of Iskanders or of any air assets short of long range bombers and at the same time it would be almost indefensible for them. Long range bombers would have to fly >1000km over NATO lake/through NATO controlled air space. Chance of survival? 0.0%. Murmansk can be reached within less than 10 minutes by Air from anywhere along more than 300km and within 15 minutes along 600km of border from NATO territory. Also now practically indefensible. Black Sea Fleet: Not usable. Northern Fleet: Highly vulnerable. In a hot conflict he would be quickly down to what was submerged at sea (I meant those that were designed for that) and what's at Vladivostok. If the Chinese haven't taken this over by then. Congrats.
For any potential conflict with NATO this has been an own goal for Vlad big time.
For any potential conflict with NATO this has been an own goal for Vlad big time.
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Drones sighted in south Sweden.
Between 2200 and 0300 last night large drones were reported over Malmö airport, the inactive nuclear power plant at Barsebäck, the strategic port of Ystad and the hamlet of Svedala.
Police are investigating in cooperation with the armed forces.
Between 2200 and 0300 last night large drones were reported over Malmö airport, the inactive nuclear power plant at Barsebäck, the strategic port of Ystad and the hamlet of Svedala.
Police are investigating in cooperation with the armed forces.
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https://www.ft.com/content/4d263668-...b-ff4f7c3e0414
Sweden ready to fortify crucial Baltic island, says PM
Gotland, often dubbed a ‘giant aircraft carrier’, seen as critical Nato vulnerability against Russia
Sweden is open to reinforcing defences on the Baltic Sea’s most crucial island, according to its prime minister, as the new Nato member explores with allies how best to repel a rapidly militarising Russia….
Kristersson told the Financial Times that bolstering Gotland, an island viewed by defence experts and military officials as the most strategic location in the Baltic Sea, would be in the first slew of items to discuss with Nato partners.
Often dubbed a “giant aircraft carrier”, the island that sits in between Sweden and Latvia has been named several times on Russian TV as a possible target should Moscow seek to invade the Baltic states……
Sweden ready to fortify crucial Baltic island, says PM
Gotland, often dubbed a ‘giant aircraft carrier’, seen as critical Nato vulnerability against Russia
Sweden is open to reinforcing defences on the Baltic Sea’s most crucial island, according to its prime minister, as the new Nato member explores with allies how best to repel a rapidly militarising Russia….
Kristersson told the Financial Times that bolstering Gotland, an island viewed by defence experts and military officials as the most strategic location in the Baltic Sea, would be in the first slew of items to discuss with Nato partners.
Often dubbed a “giant aircraft carrier”, the island that sits in between Sweden and Latvia has been named several times on Russian TV as a possible target should Moscow seek to invade the Baltic states……
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In an interesting development, the theme for Star Trek: First Contact was played at the flag-raising ceremony at NATO in Brussels earlier this month for Sweden's accession to the alliance!
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https://www.defensenews.com/air/2024...-nato-in-mind/
Nordic nations ponder military changes with NATO in mind
LONDON — With all Nordic countries now part of NATO, the nations must manage how to reconcile and integrate national as well as regional security needs and initiatives with what the alliance requires, which could necessitate changes to existing command structures, officials have said.
In March 2023, the commanders of the Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish and Danish air forces signed a declaration that envisioned the creation of a joint Nordic air force to protect their shared airspaces.
The concept called for the nations to integrate air command and control, joint operations planning, and execution; create flexible air basing; share situational awareness; and produce common air education programs and training exercises.
While the countries have experience in military cooperation, this level of integration between them is unprecedented. Acting as a coordinated force in the air rather than independently will require a shift in the way each nation approaches its airspace security, according to the chief of operations for the Royal Danish Air Force.
“All nations take great pride in their national commands and forces, and our sovereignty is paramount, [but] in order to effectively join our forces, Nordic countries need to have a minute-to-minute command function, which can plan and execute operations, including the use of weapons in defense of our territories,” Col. Søren Andersen said March 27 at an air warfare conference hosted by the London-based Royal United Services Institute think tank.
“For instance, effectively defending Copenhagen would require very close coordination between Sweden, allies and Swedish airspace,” he added. “It requires consensus. … It doesn’t work in a way where I just grab the phone and say, ‘Do you think we should shoot this guy or not,’ and then we can vote on it.
“So it needs to be more firm than that.”
A mini-NATO?
All the Nordic countries are expected to share management responsibilities for the combined military force, but this may require them to release some level of control to a higher authority.
The proposal of a combined polar air force structure has earned the title “mini-NATO” — a notion some officials don’t seem fond of.
“This Nordic initiative is in no way to be seen as a substitute or replacement to NATO, but as part of it,” Andersen told conference attendees.
Along the same lines, Lt. Col. Jan Bjurström, deputy director of air operations in the Finnish Air Force, said “Nordic air forces are not planning a separate structure, but one that complements the military alliance as a whole.”
During his presentation, the Danish official touched on what he called the command structure dilemma, surrounding the challenges of having to consider national, Nordic and NATO operational perspectives. Now that all Nordic states are NATO members, there is the question of how their individual and regional responsibilities will fit within the military alliance’s current command-and-control structure.
A statement published last month by the Norwegian Armed Forces, said the NATO command over the Nordic region would “soon” be transferred from the headquarters in Brunssum, Netherlands, to Joint Force Command-Norfolk in the United States.
The alliance’s command-and-control structure was not specifically designed with territorial defense in mind — something the air chiefs said will need revised to include a Nordic agency.
“The Nordic air power concept and Nordic air operations center need to be aligned with NATO plans and structure. This means that NATO’s C2 needs revision to implement this [air operations center] into it,” Bjurström said.
During the Nordic Response exercise this year, a temporarily combined Nordic air operations center was set up for the first time as a test at the Bodø Air Base in Norway. The center was made up of personnel from the air forces of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden (Iceland does not have a military).
Nordic nations ponder military changes with NATO in mind
LONDON — With all Nordic countries now part of NATO, the nations must manage how to reconcile and integrate national as well as regional security needs and initiatives with what the alliance requires, which could necessitate changes to existing command structures, officials have said.
In March 2023, the commanders of the Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish and Danish air forces signed a declaration that envisioned the creation of a joint Nordic air force to protect their shared airspaces.
The concept called for the nations to integrate air command and control, joint operations planning, and execution; create flexible air basing; share situational awareness; and produce common air education programs and training exercises.
While the countries have experience in military cooperation, this level of integration between them is unprecedented. Acting as a coordinated force in the air rather than independently will require a shift in the way each nation approaches its airspace security, according to the chief of operations for the Royal Danish Air Force.
“All nations take great pride in their national commands and forces, and our sovereignty is paramount, [but] in order to effectively join our forces, Nordic countries need to have a minute-to-minute command function, which can plan and execute operations, including the use of weapons in defense of our territories,” Col. Søren Andersen said March 27 at an air warfare conference hosted by the London-based Royal United Services Institute think tank.
“For instance, effectively defending Copenhagen would require very close coordination between Sweden, allies and Swedish airspace,” he added. “It requires consensus. … It doesn’t work in a way where I just grab the phone and say, ‘Do you think we should shoot this guy or not,’ and then we can vote on it.
“So it needs to be more firm than that.”
A mini-NATO?
All the Nordic countries are expected to share management responsibilities for the combined military force, but this may require them to release some level of control to a higher authority.
The proposal of a combined polar air force structure has earned the title “mini-NATO” — a notion some officials don’t seem fond of.
“This Nordic initiative is in no way to be seen as a substitute or replacement to NATO, but as part of it,” Andersen told conference attendees.
Along the same lines, Lt. Col. Jan Bjurström, deputy director of air operations in the Finnish Air Force, said “Nordic air forces are not planning a separate structure, but one that complements the military alliance as a whole.”
During his presentation, the Danish official touched on what he called the command structure dilemma, surrounding the challenges of having to consider national, Nordic and NATO operational perspectives. Now that all Nordic states are NATO members, there is the question of how their individual and regional responsibilities will fit within the military alliance’s current command-and-control structure.
A statement published last month by the Norwegian Armed Forces, said the NATO command over the Nordic region would “soon” be transferred from the headquarters in Brunssum, Netherlands, to Joint Force Command-Norfolk in the United States.
The alliance’s command-and-control structure was not specifically designed with territorial defense in mind — something the air chiefs said will need revised to include a Nordic agency.
“The Nordic air power concept and Nordic air operations center need to be aligned with NATO plans and structure. This means that NATO’s C2 needs revision to implement this [air operations center] into it,” Bjurström said.
During the Nordic Response exercise this year, a temporarily combined Nordic air operations center was set up for the first time as a test at the Bodø Air Base in Norway. The center was made up of personnel from the air forces of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden (Iceland does not have a military).
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