A French Air Force A330 MRTT tanker carried out in-flight refueling of Swedish JAS-39 Gripen fighters during a strategic deployment between Norway and Iceland, in an operation linked to NATO’s Air Policing mission in the North Atlantic region.
The operation was announced by NATO’s Joint Allied Command in Norfolk, which highlighted that the logistical support allowed the Swedish fighters to arrive at Keflavík Air Base, in Iceland, from where they will carry out surveillance tasks over allied airspace.
For the first time since joining the Alliance, Sweden will assume leadership of Iceland’s Air Policing mission. The initiative is part of NATO’s permanent actions aimed at aerial surveillance in times of peace and protecting the airspace of member countries.
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The French General Staff confirmed the joint activity, highlighting that the aerial refueling and coordinated flights between the French MRTT and four Swedish Gripen demonstrate the level of military cooperation between France and European allies in favor of collective security in the North Atlantic.
Source: UK Defence Journal | Photo: X @EtatMajorFR | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
📍Great North | Air cooperation 🇫🇷🇸🇪
✈️ Joint flights and refueling between an A330 MRTT 🇫🇷 and 4 JAS-39 Gripen 🇸🇪 between the Norwegian coast and Iceland, in preparation for an ‘enhanced Air Policing’ mission for fighters 🇸🇪
🤝 Commitment of France and its… pic.twitter.com/u9ACjDAaiA
— French Army – Military Operations (@EtatMajorFR) February 4, 2026
