Two Swedish Air Force Gripen fighter jets carried out an operation as part of NATO’s enhanced air policing mission and, for the first time, intercepted a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft (learn more about Gripen fighters here). The incident occurred recently in the airspace over the Baltic Sea. The jets were based in Malbork, a city in northern Poland. The interception took place nearly a month after six Saab JAS39 Gripen C fighters began their deployment following Sweden’s accession to NATO.
As stated by the Swedish Air Force on their official Twitter page, “two Swedish JAS39 Gripen fighters completed their first heavy mission within NATO’s enhanced readiness for incidents. The fighters took off from a base in Poland and visually identified a Russian Il-20 radar reconnaissance aircraft.”
In the images released by NATO Air Command and the Swedish Armed Forces, a Gripen can be seen flying from Malbork, along with a shot of the Il-20 with the Swedish fighter nearby. The Gripen is equipped with a short-range IRIS-T surface-to-air missile system, two external fuel tanks on the inner wing hardpoints, and a Litening targeting pod.
It is noted that this was the first “close-range mission” during which the Il-20 was visually identified over the Baltic Sea, north of the Polish coast. Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) interceptor aircraft are kept on standby at special air bases, ready to scramble by order to investigate unknown or potentially dangerous situations and identify aircraft.
The head of the Swedish contingent, Anders Gustafsson, stated that “by being in the right place at the right time to carry out the mission,” they demonstrated that “Sweden is a player that truly contributes to further strengthening NATO’s air defense.” He also added that during the interception, the aircraft showed “seamless integration, ensuring the integrity of Alliance members’ territory.”
The Il-20M is an aircraft used for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), as well as signals intelligence and electronic reconnaissance. It carries an electro-optical/infrared sensor, a side-looking airborne radar (SLAR), satellite communication receivers, and, according to pro-government Russian Telegram channels, has long-range tactical data transmission channels for real-time information sharing. It is an important asset for the defense and security of Kaliningrad in the Baltic Sea.
Earlier this month, the Il-20 had already appeared on NATO aircraft radars — it was identified and intercepted by Danish F-35A fighters, also over the Baltic Sea. The Il-20M was also among the Russian aircraft intercepted three times in three days by Royal Air Force Typhoon fighters. On April 15, two Typhoons scrambled twice — “first to intercept and identify an Il-20M as it left Kaliningrad airspace,” according to the Royal Air Force, and then to intercept two Su-30SM2 aircraft departing from Kaliningrad. A Portuguese F-16 also joined the mission. On April 17, for the third time in three days, two Typhoons again intercepted a Russian Il-20M.
Source: theaviationist
