Swedish Gripen fighters assist Poland during Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine

Swedish Air Force Gripen fighters supported Polish air defence operations during a large Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine overnight on 6‑7 October 2026, and DORSZ reported that the military aviation response had ended with no violation of Polish airspace. NOTAMs were issued for Lublin and Rzeszow, closing the airspace for unplanned military activity related to state security.

Sweden had announced on 30 September 2026 that Gripen aircraft would be deployed in Poland from October as part of NATO’s integrated air and missile defence, and that a Patriot air‑defence unit of about 100 personnel would be sent from December into the first half of 2027. The aircraft are mainly based in Sweden with a smaller forward presence in Poland and are also tasked with protecting the Rzeszów‑Jasionka logistics hub, while Poland’s new positive‑identification procedures now apply to allied aircraft protecting its airspace.