Swedish forces fire Patriot missiles in live test on Crete
Friday 16th October 2026 on 06:01 in
Sweden
Swedish forces have fired Patriot air-defence missiles for the first time in a live exercise, clearing the unit for a planned deployment to Poland in December, SVT reports.
Two GEM-T missiles were launched at an unmanned target aircraft during the exercise on Crete, where Europe’s only Patriot firing range is located. The aircraft appeared on screens before smoke filled the air as a missile lifted off from a launcher brought from Sweden. “It hit the target,” said Sofia Westermark, commander of the Lv 6 air-defence regiment in Halmstad.
The exercise was held alongside German forces. Each missile cost more than 40 million kronor, according to information obtained by SVT.
Deputy army chief Per Nilsson said validating the unit in this way is required both nationally and within NATO. The Swedish Armed Forces described the exercise as an important final step before the same unit deploys to eastern Poland from December to protect a strategic military base.
“This shows that we are ready to defend Sweden and our allies in NATO,” Westermark said. Nilsson said the live firing demonstrated the unit’s ability to deliver when it matters.
The exercise comes as concern grows over Europe’s air defences. Ukraine needs more advanced Patriot missiles, while global stocks are at low levels after heavy use during the US war in the Middle East, according to the article. Air Force chief Jonas Wikman said Sweden needs to keep monitoring its stock levels and continue developing its capabilities, both in quantity and quality.
About Sweden’s Patriot system
The Swedish Armed Forces calls the Patriot system Air Defence System 103. Bought from the United States to replace the older Hawk system, it is used against fast tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and aircraft. The system includes command centres, radar, power generators and launchers, and can fire GEM-T and PAC-3 MSE missiles.
Sweden signed the purchase agreement in August 2018 for about 12 billion kronor. Deliveries took place between November 2021 and December 2022, earlier than planned because of the worsening international situation. Sweden has since bought additional missiles, including GEM-T missiles worth more than 5 billion kronor in a NATO cooperation deal announced in 2024.