Large-scale exercises involving around 150 fighter jets from Western countries, including the US, Britain and France, began in Finland, Sweden and Norway on Monday, AFP reported.

Aviation training “Arctic Challenge”Photo: US Air Force / Zuma Press / Profimedia Images

Since 2013, the Scandinavian countries organize every two years, this year’s “Arctic Challenge” training unites 14 states.

According to Finland, NATO’s newest member to lead Operation Arctic Challenge, the maneuvers will last for almost two weeks in the three countries that border Russia.

“Training has started (…) Our first rotation is underway,” Colonel Henrik Elo of the Finnish Air Force told AFP. “This is the biggest exercise to date,” emphasized Colonel Elo.

150 combat aircraft are participating in the exercises

The Nordic country ended decades of neutrality and military non-alignment following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine by joining NATO in early April. Sweden, for its part, hopes to become a full member of NATO by the July summit of the North Atlantic Alliance in Vilnius.

The “Arctic Challenge”, organized every two years by the Scandinavian countries since 2013, unites 14 states this year – 12 NATO member states, as well as Sweden, which is in the process of joining, and Switzerland.

American F-35 and aircraft of several European countries, French Rafale and Mirage, Danish and Dutch F-16, Finnish and Swiss F-18 and Swedish Gripen are participating in the exercises, which will end on June 9.

The aircraft will be located in the north of Norway, Sweden and Finland, as well as at the Finnish base in Pirkkala-Tampere.