Ukrainian service members have joined Sweden’s Aurora 26 military exercise as part of the expanded JEF-Ukraine partnership with the Joint Expeditionary Force.
According to the Swedish Armed Forces, Ukrainian drone operators and other specialists will participate in combat drills, joint training with allied units, and thematic seminars. The focus is on modern warfare using unmanned systems, including naval drones and air defense.
“Ukraine’s participation in Aurora 26 will strengthen Sweden, our allies, and the Joint Expeditionary Force. Their experience will improve our drone warfare capabilities, speed up the development of new tactics, and enhance European security,” Rear Admiral Jonas Wikström, who leads the exercise, stated.
The Aurora 26 exercise involves more than 16,000 personnel from the Swedish Armed Forces, including soldiers, sailors, and officers. The exercise started on April 27 and will continue until May 13.
The exercise will also involve around 1,500 troops from partner countries and Ukraine, and will include scenarios focused on reinforcing forces in Northern Europe and along the eastern flank.
Swedish defense officials emphasize that the expanded partnership between JEF and Ukraine is an important step toward deeper cooperation and integration with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This cooperation will continue to be implemented, including during the Aurora 26 exercise.
JEF leaders made the decision to launch the expanded partnership at a summit in Oslo on May 9, 2025.
It covers the institutionalization and further deepening of relations between JEF and Ukraine, building on the political and military support that member countries have provided to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
Joint Expeditionary Force
The Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) is a multinational military partnership of Northern European countries, led by the United Kingdom, created for rapid-response and expeditionary operations.
JEF includes the United Kingdom, Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden), the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania), and the Netherlands. The United Kingdom plays a leading role, while operational command is carried out by the Standing Joint Force Headquarters based in Northwood.
The partnership was established in 2014 and reached full operational capability in June 2018. JEF is not part of NATO, but all its member countries are also members of the Alliance.
The force can operate independently, carrying out its own missions, or be deployed in coordination with NATO or other international structures, including UN peacekeeping operations.
