UK fighter jets begin Nato defence mission over Poland, after Russia drone incursion
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Britain sent two Royal Air Force Typhoons to patrol Poland’s skies.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Follow topic:
- UK jets flew a NATO air defence sortie over Poland after Russian drone incursions.
- Defence Minister John Healey stated this sends "a clear signal: Nato airspace will be defended".
- This action follows Estonia's claim of Russian airspace violations; Russia denies the accusations.
AI generated
LONDON - British fighter jets have flown their first Nato air defence sortie over Poland as part of Nato’s Eastern Sentry mission, the government said, aimed at strengthening the Western alliance’s defences following a Russian drone incursion
The mission, announced on Sept 15 by the British government in the immediate aftermath of the incursions into Polish airspace, sends “a clear signal: Nato airspace will be defended”, Defence Minister John Healey said in a statement.
Two Royal Air Force Typhoons took off from a British military base in eastern England on the night of Sept 19 to patrol Polish skies and deter and defend against aerial threats from Russia, including drones, the statement said, adding that they returned safely to Britain early on Sept 20.
The British government said it was a response to the “most significant violation” of Nato airspace by Russian President Vladimir Putin to date since his illegal full-scale war in Ukraine.
Agile and ready
The chief of the air staff, Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth, said the British jets joined allies along Nato’s eastern flank, adding: “We remain agile, integrated, and ready to project airpower at range.”
The British government has promised to boost defence spending to 2.6 per cent of gross domestic product by April 2027, in a signal to US President Donald Trump that Britain can help boost Europe’s security. Mr Trump has criticised European nations for not spending enough on defence and relying instead on the United States.
The UK mission over Poland also comes amid heightened tensions elsewhere in Europe, with Nato member Estonia saying on Sept 19 that three Russian military jets violated its airspace
Mr Healey condemned that on Sept 19, saying Russia’s “latest reckless and dangerous activity is the third violation of Nato airspace in recent days”.
Russia’s Defence Ministry denied that its jets violated Estonian airspace, saying they flew over neutral waters. REUTERS
