RAF Typhoons soar into Finland as part of Nato's largest exercise since the Cold War

The Royal Air Force has dispatched three of its Typhoon fighter jets to Finland as part of a large-scale Nato exercise.

140 Expeditionary Air Wing has deployed approximately 50 people on Exercise Swift Response, which is part of Exercise Steadfast Defender – Nato's largest exercise since the Cold War.

RAF personnel were deployed from Romania to Tikkakoski Air Base, which is home to the Finnish Air Force headquarters as well as the Finnish Air Force Academy.

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The RAF thanked its Finnish counterparts for a warm welcome in a post on social media.

"It is exciting to be part of such a large multinational Nato-led exercise," said Squadron Leader Morrison-Smith.

"Particularly working here with the Finnish, our newest Nato partners."

Last month, defence officials welcomed Finland as one of Nato's two newest members in a flag unfurling ceremony as the alliance marked its 75th anniversary.

The other country to join at the same time as Finland was neighbouring Sweden, which sought membership in May 2022 after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Exercise Steadfast Defender serves as a vital platform for allied forces to practise co-ordination and co-operation in various operational scenarios.