NATO begins large military exercise: 90 fighter jets flying over Northern Europe

Six NATO member states and three more partner countries began a joint air force military exercise in Northern Europe on Monday, involving more than 4,000 personnel and over a hundred aircraft, reports the Patria News Agency.

The Arctic Challenge 2015 exercise, considered one of the largest of its kind ever held, is taking place amid increased tensions between Western countries and Russia. The exercise is led by NATO member Norway, with a significant portion taking place in the airspace and bases of Sweden and Finland, countries that are not NATO members.

More than 90 aircraft, normally stationed in the bases of Bodo in Norway, Kallax in Sweden, and Rovaniemi in Finland, are expected to be in the air simultaneously. In addition to F-16, F-18, Mirage 2000, Eurofighter Typhoon, and JAS Gripen aircraft, aerial tankers and AWACS surveillance aircraft will also participate in the exercise.

- The goal of the exercise is to train units to conduct complex air operations through close cooperation of NATO partners, said Norwegian General Jan Ove Rygg, who is leading the exercise.

The United States, Great Britain, France, Germany, and the Netherlands, as well as non-NATO member Switzerland, are also participating in the exercise, which will last until June 4.