MALMÖ, SWEDEN — February 26, 2026 : Swedish Armed Forces deployed electronic countermeasures to jam a Russian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that approached the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle while the vessel was docked at the port of Malmö, according to Swedish defense sources and national broadcaster SVT.
The incident occurred on February 26, 2026, during the French Navy’s scheduled port visit as part of ongoing NATO activities in the Baltic region. Surveillance systems detected the drone after it was launched from a nearby Russian vessel operating in surrounding waters. The UAV subsequently moved toward the aircraft carrier while it was stationary in port.
Upon identification of the approach as unauthorized, Swedish military personnel initiated electronic warfare protocols to disrupt the drone’s communication and navigation signals. Following the jamming measures, the UAV disappeared from tracking systems. Authorities stated that it remains unclear whether the drone returned to its Russian host vessel or crashed into the Baltic Sea as a result of the electronic interference.
Swedish authorities classified the event as a security incident linked to the presence of the French carrier in Swedish waters. No additional technical details regarding the type of drone involved or the identity of the Russian vessel have been disclosed. Swedish and French defense officials are continuing to assess operational data collected during the interception.
The aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, flagship of the French Navy, arrived in Malmö on February 24–25, 2026, marking the first time a French aircraft carrier has docked in Sweden. The visit also represents the first docking of a nuclear-powered vessel in Sweden in more than 50 years.
Measuring 261.5 meters in length, the nuclear-powered carrier has a crew of approximately 2,000 personnel and typically embarks up to 30 Rafale M fighter aircraft along with additional fixed-wing and rotary aircraft. It is the world’s largest non-U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.
The vessel is currently deployed as part of the French Carrier Strike Group under Mission La Fayette 26. The deployment includes operations across the North Atlantic and Baltic Sea and participation in NATO’s large-scale “Orion 26” and “Baltic Sentry” exercises. The Malmö port call forms part of scheduled activities designed to enhance interoperability and strengthen defense coordination among allied forces.
The visit follows Sweden’s formal accession to NATO and reflects expanding military cooperation between Stockholm and Paris. Elements of the French strike group are also scheduled to conduct engagements in Copenhagen, Denmark, during the broader deployment.
The Baltic Sea region remains an area of close proximity operations between NATO and Russian naval assets. Defense officials have indicated that counter-unmanned aircraft system procedures were implemented in accordance with established security protocols to protect high-value maritime assets during the port visit.
The Charles de Gaulle is expected to remain in Malmö for several days before resuming maritime operations in the Baltic Sea as part of its ongoing NATO assignment.
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