Swedish Military Jams Suspected Russian Drone Near French Aircraft Carrier

The Swedish Armed Forces successfully jammed a suspected Russian drone on February 25 as it approached the French nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle while docked in Malmö, highlighting escalating tensions between NATO and Moscow in the Baltic Sea region.

The incident occurred during major NATO naval exercises, with the flagship of the French Navy visiting the southern Swedish port as part of the mission LA FAYETTE 26. According to Swedish broadcaster SVT, the drone was launched from a nearby Russian vessel and was detected moving toward the carrier before Swedish forces intervened.

“A ship from the Swedish Navy observed a suspected drone during ongoing sea patrols in the Öresund Strait,” the Swedish Armed Forces said in a statement. “In connection with the observation, the Swedish Armed Forces took countermeasures to disrupt the suspected drone. After that, contact with the drone was lost.”

It remains unclear whether the drone returned to the Russian vessel or fell into the sea after being jammed. Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson told media the drone came “probably from Russia, as there was a Russian military vessel in the immediate vicinity at the time of the facts.”

French military officials confirmed the incident, with Colonel Guillaume Vernet, a French General Staff spokesman, stating: “A drone was jammed yesterday by a Swedish system at about seven nautical miles from the Charles de Gaulle. The Swedish system worked perfectly and this did not disrupt operations on board.”

The security breach underscores growing concerns over Russian surveillance activities targeting Western military assets. NATO has recently increased its presence in the strategically vital Baltic Sea region, particularly after Sweden’s recent accession to the alliance ended more than two centuries of neutrality.

The Charles de Gaulle, equipped with Rafale M fighter jets, represents significant NATO power projection capability in the region. Its presence in Swedish waters sends a clear message about the alliance’s commitment to securing its northeastern flank against Russian aggression.

This drone incident comes amid a broader pattern of tensions between NATO and Russia. Just hours earlier, Poland scrambled fighter jets in response to another wave of Russian strikes over Ukraine, further heightening the already strained relations. The timing is particularly sensitive as Ukraine recently marked four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022.

The incident also follows ominous statements from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who recently warned that his “adversaries know how things could end” if they resort to using a “nuclear” response – rhetoric that has alarmed Western defense officials.

NATO has been increasingly focused on security in northern Europe, launching a new Arctic security initiative as regional tensions rise. The alliance has observed more frequent Russian activities near critical infrastructure and military installations across the region.

The Swedish military’s successful jamming operation demonstrates the alliance’s growing capabilities to counter such threats. Electronic warfare measures are increasingly important as drones become more prevalent in military intelligence gathering and surveillance operations.

As NATO continues its naval exercises in the Baltic, the incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing security challenges in the region and the potential for miscalculation as Russian and NATO forces operate in close proximity to one another.