# Finland and Sweden jointly identified Russian military aircraft

- Source: Nordic Defence Sector (https://nordicdefencesector.com)
- Canonical URL: https://nordicdefencesector.com/en/article/finland-and-sweden-identified-russian-military-aircraft-together
- Published: 2026-09-25 · Updated: 2026-09-30
- Author: Jacob Wollheim
- Type: News · Section: Air · Country: finland
- Language: en — machine translation from sv; the sv version is authoritative: https://nordicdefencesector.com/sv/article/finland-and-sweden-identified-russian-military-aircraft-together.md
- Also available in: de (https://nordicdefencesector.com/de/article/finland-and-sweden-identified-russian-military-aircraft-together.md), dk (https://nordicdefencesector.com/dk/article/finland-and-sweden-identified-russian-military-aircraft-together.md), es (https://nordicdefencesector.com/es/article/finland-and-sweden-identified-russian-military-aircraft-together.md), fi (https://nordicdefencesector.com/fi/article/finland-and-sweden-identified-russian-military-aircraft-together.md), fr (https://nordicdefencesector.com/fr/article/finland-and-sweden-identified-russian-military-aircraft-together.md), it (https://nordicdefencesector.com/it/article/finland-and-sweden-identified-russian-military-aircraft-together.md), no (https://nordicdefencesector.com/no/article/finland-and-sweden-identified-russian-military-aircraft-together.md), pl (https://nordicdefencesector.com/pl/article/finland-and-sweden-identified-russian-military-aircraft-together.md)
- Primary source: https://ilmavoimat.fi/en/-/finland-and-sweden-identify-russian-aircraft-together-for-the-first-time
- Tags: finland, sverige, gripen, f/a-18 hornet, tu-134, mig-31, su-30, finnish air force, försvarsmakten, gulf of finland, nato, swedish armed forces, jas 39 gripen, tupolev tu-134, mikoyan mig-31, sukhoi su-30, finnish gulf, air operations centre

> Finnish and Swedish QRA fighter aircraft jointly identified Russian military aircraft over the Gulf of Finland on 24 September 2026. It was the first joint identification mission for the two air forces.

![Russian MiG-31 fighter aircraft photographed by the Swedish quick reaction alert after a violation of Estonian airspace in 2025. The image is not related to the current event.](https://imagedelivery.net/XO8UY-c6-LfWgEjQsN8IQw/30393557-d9d0-48bf-f325-03ec732a2b00/public)
*Russian MiG-31 fighter aircraft photographed by the Swedish quick reaction alert after a violation of Estonian airspace in 2025. The image is not related to the current event. · Försvarsmakten*

**On 24 September, Finnish and Swedish fighter aircraft carried out a joint operational identification mission against Russian military aircraft for the first time. Finnish F/A-18 Hornet and Swedish JAS 39 Gripen aircraft identified a Russian air formation in international airspace over the Gulf of Finland.**

"The deepened cooperation that began this autumn enables joint identification missions and makes it possible for QRA fighter aircraft to operate from the other country's air bases," says Colonel Vesa Mäntylä, deputy chief of staff at the Finnish Air Force Command, in a press release from the [Finnish Air Force](https://ilmavoimat.fi/en/-/finland-and-sweden-identify-russian-aircraft-together-for-the-first-time).

The operation was led by the Finnish Air Force's air operations centre. The Finnish and Swedish Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) aircraft identified a Russian Tu-134 transport aircraft as well as MiG-31 and Su-30 fighter aircraft.

"This is what close cooperation looks like in practice. Built over several years on trust and strong personal relationships, we can now operate seamlessly together, as air forces, nations and allies," says Air Force Commander Major General Jonas Wikman in a post from the Swedish Armed Forces [on X](https://x.com/Forsvarsmakten/status/2103388040463101968).

## FAQ

**What happened on 24 September 2026 over the Gulf of Finland?**

Finnish and Swedish quick reaction alert (QRA) fighter aircraft jointly identified Russian military aircraft in international airspace. This was the first joint operational identification mission for the Finnish and Swedish air forces, led by the Finnish Air Force's air operations control centre. Last fact-checked: 2026-09-25.

**Which aircraft types took part in the joint identification mission?**

The mission involved Finnish F/A-18 Hornet and Swedish JAS 39 Gripen aircraft operating together as quick reaction alert (QRA) fighters. This was the first time the two countries' air forces had carried out a joint identification mission of this kind over the Gulf of Finland. Last fact-checked: 2026-09-25.

**Which Russian military aviation unit was identified by the Finnish and Swedish fighter aircraft?**

The Russian unit consisted of a Tu-134 ('Crusty') transport aircraft, MiG-31 ('Foxhound') fighter aircraft, and Su-30 ('Flanker-H') fighter aircraft. The QRA fighter aircraft identified these in international airspace over the Gulf of Finland. Last fact-checked: 2026-09-25.

**How does the enhanced cooperation between the Finnish and Swedish air forces work?**

The cooperation, which began in autumn 2026, enables QRA fighter aircraft to carry out joint identification missions and operate from the other country's air bases when required. According to Colonel Vesa Mäntylä, this enables deeper operational cooperation between the Finnish and Swedish air forces. Last fact-checked: 2026-09-25.

**What other forms of cooperation is the Finnish-Swedish air force partnership part of?**

The cooperation is part of Nordic Air Power together with Norway and Denmark, focusing on interoperability within NATO's collective defence. The air forces also coordinate activities with NATO's Baltic Air Policing and conduct regular Cross Border Training exercises. Last fact-checked: 2026-09-25.

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