Tech. Sgt. Corban Lundborg/US Air Force
- Finland and Sweden bring a fighter force roughly the size of the UK's to the NATO alliance.
- Finland flies F/A-18 Hornets and has order a large number of F-35 stealth fighters.
- Their forces and bases would complicate any Russian effort to conquer the Baltic states in NATO.
Russia's decision to invade Ukraine has had an unintended consequence: a boost to NATO airpower.
Fearful of being Russia's next target, Finland joined NATO in 2023, followed by Sweden this March. This means the alliance will be augmented by their advanced aircraft and strategically located airbases.