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Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced the decision to take over the tasks currently carried out by the Netherlands. The Swedish regiment will be responsible for protecting the hub from threats coming from the air, including drones and rockets.
The Commander of the Swedish air defence regiment, Colonel Sofia Westermark, described the operation as the most complex mission Sweden has undertaken as a NATO member. She stressed that the location is exposed to threats both from the air and from the ground.
The importance of Rzeszów-Jasionka is exceptional. It is one of the key transit hubs for international military and civilian aid to Ukraine. According to the Swedish authorities, around 18,000 tonnes of equipment pass through the airport in Eastern Poland each month. All in all more than 80% of the military donations sent to Ukraine cross Polish territory.
The country’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz welcomed Sweden’s decision to send Patriot systems to Poland. He also thanked the Netherlands for supporting Poland and NATO’s eastern flank so far.
Sweden steps up its military presence in Poland
The deployment of Patriot systems will be another element in Sweden’s growing commitment to the security of Poland and NATO’s eastern flank. Since the beginning of October, Swedish Gripen fighter jets have been taking part in a NATO mission to protect Polish airspace. Their task also includes helping to safeguard the logistics routes used to transport aid to Ukraine.
Stockholm stresses that increasing its military presence in the region is a response to rising threats to Europe’s security and more frequent violations of NATO countries’ airspace. Sweden, which joined the Alliance in 2024, is gradually stepping up its involvement in NATO operations on the eastern flank.
One of the most important aspects of these efforts is the protection of infrastructure in Rzeszów-Jasionka. At present, its defence includes, among others, Dutch Patriot systems, the Polish Mała Narew short-range air defence system and iLauncher systems armed with CAMM missiles.
The Swedish mission will thus be another example of NATO countries working together to shield strategic infrastructure on the eastern flank.