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Sweden begins air policing of Poland, to be followed by Patriot deployment in December 2026
Sweden began Gripen air-policing operations over Poland on October 1, 2026, and will deploy Patriot air-defence systems with 100 soldiers from early December. The Patriot deployment will continue through the first half of 2027 and protect the Rzeszów logistics hub used for military and civilian support to Ukraine. Equipment and personnel from Sweden's Halmstad-based Air Defence Regiment will relieve Dutch Patriot units, marking Sweden's first participation in a NATO operation with the system. Gripen C/D aircraft from the Blekinge Wing and the ground-based defences will contribute to NATO integrated air and missile defence under alliance command.