The decision came following a request from Finland, according to the Swedish public broadcaster.Image: Jeppe Gustafsson / AOPYle News13:36The Swedish government has approved sending military aircraft and ships to Finland to patrol the Russian border area, following a request from Finland, according to Swedish public broadcaster SVT.It noted that Finland has seen a number of cases of air incursions this year, including ones that temporarily shut down airports. The incidents also included suspected stray armed drones that Ukraine had aimed at Russian targets.According to SVT, Sweden will send military units to Finland in the near future, including Gripen fighter jets and Swedish warships to patrol risk areas along the Finnish-Russian border. It said that Sweden may also send anti-drone units if the need arises during the autumn.Separately, Finland and Sweden announced on Friday that the two countries are expanding their defence partnership to include enhanced territorial surveillance and protection of territorial integrity.The countries said they will work together to strengthen Finland's capability to detect and counter unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) — also often called drones.Plans to boost drone detection capabilitiesAccording to the ministry, the initiative comes as a complement to Finland's ongoing national measures responding to recent drone incursions linked to Russia's war in Ukraine.Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen (NCP) emphasised the natural progression of the partnership."Air and maritime cooperation has already been an integral part of our bilateral and Nordic cooperation, so it is natural to move forward to cooperate on territorial surveillance and protection of territorial integrity, fully in line with the work done in Nato. By working together, we are strengthening Nato deterrence and defence,” he said in a press release on Friday.Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson said that as Nato members, collective defence is a core element of Finland and Sweden's cooperation."As Allies, we have a common view on ensuring strong and capable deterrence and defence in our region and on the eastern flank. We are constantly developing our ability to act together with our Allies, reviewing available means for effective contributions," Jonson said in the release.