Sweden is participating for the first time in NATO’s annual Steadfast Noon nuclear deterrence exercise, marking a historic shift since joining the Alliance in March 2024. Starting October 13, 2025, the two-week drill, led from the Netherlands, involves 71 aircraft from 14 NATO allies, including Sweden’s JAS 39 Gripen fighters and Armed Forces personnel. While no live nuclear weapons are used, Sweden’s Gripens play a key role in conventional support within NATO’s nuclear deterrence strategy, enhancing Baltic and northern European security amid rising regional tensions. Sweden’s Gripen aircraft, designed for rapid deployment and austere basing, bring valuable capabilities in contested airspace, electronic warfare, and air defense integration. This participation deepens NATO’s operational depth and resilience against modern threats such as drones and electronic attacks. Sweden’s involvement aligns with NATO’s strategy of agile conventional forces supporting nuclear missions and reinforces the Alliance’s deterrence posture in Northern Europe. This move signals Sweden’s commitment to collective security, strengthening NATO’s northern flank and signaling a credible, unified stance against potential adversaries.