Sweden Jams Suspected Russian Drone Approaching French Carrier Charles de Gaulle During NATO Baltic Drills

Swedish Armed Forces jammed a suspected Russian drone on February 26, 2026, after it approached the French aircraft carrier French Navy flagship Charles de Gaulle while docked in Malmö.

The incident occurred during ongoing NATO exercises in the Baltic Sea region and involved electronic countermeasures activated roughly seven nautical miles from the carrier.

According to Swedish broadcaster SVT and defense officials, the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was detected after it was launched from a nearby Russian vessel operating in the Öresund Strait.

At the time, the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier was docked at the southern Swedish port of Malmö as part of Mission La Fayette 26, linked to NATO exercise activity in the Baltic region.

A Swedish Navy vessel conducting routine patrols identified the drone as it moved toward the carrier. Swedish forces then initiated electronic warfare measures to disrupt its communication and navigation systems.

The Swedish Armed Forces stated that once countermeasures were activated, contact with the drone was lost. Authorities have not confirmed whether the UAV returned to the Russian ship or crashed into the Baltic Sea.

Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson said the drone likely originated from Russia, noting that a Russian military vessel was present in the immediate area.

A spokesperson from the French General Staff confirmed that a Swedish system jammed the drone approximately seven nautical miles from the carrier. French officials stated that the electronic interference did not disrupt onboard operations.

No technical details have been released regarding the drone model or the specific electronic warfare system used.

The Charles de Gaulle, measuring 261.5 meters in length, carries a crew of about 2,000 personnel. The nuclear-powered vessel typically embarks up to 30 Rafale M fighter jets along with additional fixed-wing and rotary aircraft. It is the largest non-U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in service.

The carrier arrived in Malmö between February 24 and 25, marking the first time a French aircraft carrier has docked in Sweden. It also represents the first docking of a nuclear-powered vessel in Sweden in more than 50 years.

The deployment forms part of the French Carrier Strike Group’s Mission La Fayette 26, which includes operations in the North Atlantic and Baltic Sea and participation in NATO’s “Orion 26” and “Baltic Sentry” exercises.

The Baltic Sea remains an area of close operational proximity between NATO and Russian naval forces. Sweden’s recent accession to NATO has increased allied naval coordination in the region.

Defense officials described the counter-drone response as a standard security protocol designed to protect high-value maritime assets during port visits.

References: foxnews, thedefensenews