Fewer Russian jets testing Nato airspace in 2023 compared with previous year
Nato scrambled its jets more than 300 times this year to intercept Russian jets near its airspace - a marked decrease compared with 2022.
The number of interceptions was about 570 in 2022, according to reports, due to tensions with Russia and a higher presence of Nato forces on Russia's eastern flank.
Nato has continuous air-policing missions that require allied jets to scramble in response to any signs of suspicious activity from Russian military planes nearing allied airspace.
Suspicions can be raised by aircraft not indicating their position or altitude, by not submitting a transponder code, not filing a flight plan or not communicating with air traffic controllers.
However, according to Nato the vast majority of aerial encounters between alliance and Russian jets were "safe and professional".
Actual breaches of Nato airspace by Russian jets remain rare, and if they do happen they are generally of short duration.
"Nato fighter jets are on duty around the clock, ready to scramble in case of suspicious or unannounced flights near the airspace of our allies," said Nato spokesperson Dylan White.
"Air policing is an important way in which Nato provides security for our allies."
Most of the interceptions in 2023 took place over the Baltic region.
Extra fighter jets were also deployed to Romania after repeated Russian strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure close to Nato territory.
Join Our Newsletter
