The United States conducted a simulation on Monday of deploying weapons over Finland, a NATO member, using two B-52H Stratofortress strategic bombers. This mission comes shortly after Russia used a new hypersonic missile in Ukraine, further escalating tensions between Moscow and the West.
Two U.S. bombers, stationed at Fairford Air Base in the United Kingdom since November 8, conducted training that included a simulation of an “armed attack,” according to the U.S. Air Force. Finland, which became a NATO member earlier this year, shares a long land border with Russia, which adds extra significance to this mission.
Reports indicate that the flight of the B-52H bombers could be tracked via the Flightradar24 application. The aircraft departed from England, flew over the North Sea, Denmark, and the Baltic Sea, before arriving in central Finland. This maneuver comes as a direct response to last week’s statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who announced the use of a new hypersonic medium-range ballistic missile in Ukraine. The missile reportedly has a range of 5,000 kilometers and can hit European capitals in just a few minutes, according to Newsweek.
The B-52H Stratofortress is one of the most powerful weapons in the U.S. Air Force. The fleet currently consists of 76 aircraft, 46 of which are capable of carrying nuclear weapons. This bomber has the capacity to carry up to 31,750 kilograms of weapons, including nuclear warheads, precision-guided bombs, mines, and missiles.
Notably, the B-52H can launch up to 20 JASSM (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles) cruise missiles. The basic version of these missiles has a range of 500 kilometers, while the extended version can reach over 900 kilometers, allowing for precise strikes from great distances.
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Joint Training with Finland and Sweden
During the training mission, U.S. bombers coordinated operations with Finnish F/A-18C Hornet fighter jets and Swedish JAS 39 Gripen aircraft.
“The mission symbolizes Finland’s growing role within the NATO alliance and marks an important milestone in strengthening the Alliance’s collective defense,” the U.S. Air Force said in a statement. The Finnish Air Force added that bilateral cooperation with the United States significantly contributes to strengthening the country’s defense capabilities.
Since July of this year, the Finnish Air Force has been participating in joint training with U.S. bombers, part of NATO’s broader strategy to ensure collective defense and deter potential threats in northern regions.
While details of the simulated weapons were not disclosed, experts suggest that the bombers used in this mission were equipped exclusively for carrying conventional weapons.
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Izvor: Nova.rs, Foto: Wikimedia Creative Commons