RAMSTEIN, Germany – In February 2025, for the first time as a full NATO member, the Finnish Air Force will deploy to Iceland in support of NATO’s Air Policing mission.
The Finnish Air Force will deploy with four F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets and 50 supporting personnel primarily from Lapland Air Wing, with support from other units of the Finnish Air Force. They will defend NATO airspace in the Arctic Region and provide Airborne Surveillance and Interception Capabilities to meet Iceland's Peacetime Preparedness Needs – or ASIC IPPN.
The deployment will be a concrete example of Nordic cooperation and the Finnish Air Force’s capability to carry out missions throughout NATO territory
“Finland’s participation in the NATO Icelandic Air Policing mission will strengthen the Alliance’s presence in the High North. The deployment will be a concrete example of Nordic cooperation and the Finnish Air Force’s capability to carry out missions throughout NATO territory.” Said Major General Timo Herranen, Commander of the Finnish Air Force. “The Norwegian and Danish Air Forces have regularly contributed to the Air Policing mission in Iceland, so this is a natural task for Finland as well. It is in line with Finland’s objectives that NATO has recognized the strategic importance of the High North”, he added.
Four F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets and 50 supporting personnel will deploy to Iceland in February for the 3 week NATO Air Policing mission. Photo courtesy of the Finnish Air Force
The Finnish will provide Airborne Surveillance and Interception Capabilities to meet Iceland's Peacetime Preparedness Needs. Photo courtesy of the Finnish Air Force
The Finnish fighter jets will work closely with Icelandic Coast Guards and personnel from the Control and Reporting Centre Keflavík. Photo courtesy of the Finnish Air Force
The Finnish fighter jets will be on Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) duty in Iceland for three weeks, working closely with Icelandic Coast Guards and personnel from the Control and Reporting Centre Keflavík.
"The participation of Finland in the Icelandic Air Policing Mission is a significant milestone which demonstrates how Finland and Sweden‘s entry into NATO strengthens and deepens our defence cooperation and contributes to our security,“ said Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, Iceland‘s Minister for Foreign Affairs.
In the summer of 2024, the Finnish Air Force deployed to Mihail Kogalniceanu Airbase in Romania, to defending NATO’s eastern border, in February they will secure the High North. The deployments provides the Finnish Air Force the opportunities to gain experience in conducting Quick Reaction Alert duty in Iceland as part of NATO Air Policing mission.
Since 2008, Allies have conducted air surveillance missions over Iceland, as part of NATO’s commitment to Iceland’s security and defence, which preserves the security of Allied skies. It is a collective task and involves the continuous presence of fighter aircraft and crews, which are ready to react quickly to possible airspace violations.