Over Poland, UK fighter planes launch a NATO air defense mission.
As part of NATO’s Eastern Sentry operation, which aims to bolster the Western alliance’s defenses in the wake of a Russian drone invasion this month, the government announced that British fighter jets have conducted their first NATO air defense sortie over Poland.
The mission sends “a clear signal: NATO airspace will be defended,” according to a statement released by the UK government on Monday, right after the incursions into Polish airspace.
According to the statement, two Royal Air Force Typhoons departed from a British military installation in eastern England on Friday night in order to patrol Polish skies and prevent and protect against Russian aerial threats, such as drones. They made a safe return to the UK early on Saturday morning.
According to the British government, it was a reaction to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “most significant violation” of NATO airspace since his unlawful full-scale war in Ukraine.
It remains agile and ready, according to the UK.
British aircraft joined friends around NATO’s eastern flank, according to Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth, chief of the Air Staff, who also stated: “We remain agile, integrated, and ready to project airpower at range.”
In an effort to show US President Donald Trump that Britain can contribute to improving European security, the UK government has pledged to increase defense spending to 2.6% of GDP by April 2027. Trump has criticized European countries for relying on the United States and not investing enough on defense.
The UK’s mission over Poland coincides with increased tensions in other parts of Europe. NATO member Estonia said Friday that three Russian military jets had engaged in a “unprecedentedly brazen” 12-minute airspace violation.
This Friday, Healey denounced Russia’s “latest reckless and dangerous activity, which is the third violation of NATO airspace in recent days.”
Russia’s defense ministry said the planes passed over neutral waters and denied violating Estonian airspace.