Gripen Keeps Watch Over Libya | Aviation International News

Gripen Keeps Watch Over Libya

Since April 22 the Swedish air force Gripens have been conducting operations over Libya as part of the NATO response to UNSCR 1973.

A Gripen refuels over the Mediterranean before heading to Libya. It carries a Litening targeting pod, the Saab SPK 39 reconnaissance pod and Iris-T missiles.

By David Donald • Contributor - UK

June 27, 2011

Since April 22 the Swedish air force Gripens have been conducting operations over Libya as part of the NATO response to UNSCR 1973. Sweden already maintained a unit of eight aircraft on a deployment alert for the Nordic Battle Group, and it was these aircraft that were sent to Sigonella in Sicily. They arrived within 23 hours of the parliamentary approval for the operation, their participation being sponsored by full NATO member Denmark.

“It’s the first time in 50 years we have been involved [in operations] with fighters,” Major General Anders Silwer, Swedish air force chief, told AIN. “We have been prepared for this for a long time. Initially the aircraft were just performing DCA [defensive counter air], but when NATO realized we had a very capable reconnaissance pod we started flying that mission, and now that is around 90 percent of what we are doing.”

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