RAF Typhoons to fly round-trip missions to defend Polish air space following drone incursion
RAF Typhoons will carry out round-trip air defence missions over Poland to counter aerial threats from Russia, including drones, as part of Nato's Eastern Sentry mission.
Royal Air Force Typhoons will join allied forces, including Denmark, France, and Germany, helping to defend the eastern flank.
It comes just days after a reckless and dangerous incursion by Russian drones into Poland's airspace, and a further breach of Romanian airspace over the weekend.
Operation Eastern Sentry
Tensions have remained high across Europe since Poland accused Russia of entering its airspace, the most significant violation of Nato airspace by President Putin to date.
The incident led Poland to invoke Article 4, which allows Nato members to bring any issue of concern, especially related to the security of a member country, to the table for discussion with the North Atlantic Council, the principal political decision-making body.
Following the talks, Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte and Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) General Alexus G Grynkewich announced the launch of Operation Eastern Sentry.
It will involve the deployment of equipment on the border with Belarus, Russia and Ukraine to deter potential Russian aggression.
UK's involvement
RAF Typhoons, as part of Operation Eastern Sentry, will operate from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire and are expected to start flying round-trip missions over Poland in the coming days, supported by RAF Voyager air-to-air refuelling aircraft.
They will join Danish F-16s, French Rafales and German Eurofighters.
In a post on X, former senior RAF commander Greg Bagwell said that although the round trip would require a refuelling aircraft to work alongside it, it limits the footprint on the ground and "avoids over-reacting to Russian drones".
"With a smaller combat air force, it's the best answer to a problem that has yet to truly define itself," he commented.
New era of threat
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Russia's "reckless behaviour" is a direct threat to European security and a violation of international law.
"These aircraft are not just a show of strength, they are vital in deterring aggression, securing Nato airspace, and protecting our national security and that of our allies," he said.
Defence Secretary John Healey described Russia's actions as "reckless, dangerous, and unprecedented" and added they only serve to strengthen the unity of Nato.
"Just as we stand with Ukraine, we will stand with our Polish Nato allies in the face of Russian aggression," he said.
"Our advanced Typhoon fighter jets will help deter Russian aggression and, where needed, defend Nato's airspace, making Britain secure at home and strong abroad, the foundation of our Plan for Change."
This new era of threat – exemplified by Russia's intensifying airspace violations – requires a new era for defence.
The government is delivering the most significant sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War, to 2.6% of GDP by April 2027.
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