RAF Typhoons Train With NATO Warships In Baltic Sea

Royal Air Force Typhoons have taken part in a training exercise alongside NATO warships in the Baltic Sea.

The aircraft from 6 Squadron are currently deployed to Lithuania as part of the NATO Air Policing mission in the region.

The exercise saw the fighter jets test the air defences of the Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 Task Force.

The RAF said the ships faced a simulated air attack from the Typhoons and "air-launched" anti-ship missiles.

A Royal Navy officer, currently on exchange with the RAF, led the planning of the exercise.

He said: "Flying at low-level over the sea is a complex and dangerous environment.

"If you lose concentration, even for a moment, the results can be catastrophic, let alone when you’re performing aggressive and dynamic manoeuvres.

"Having experienced this from the other side, I can appreciate the workload the ship’s company were under.

"Watching them manoeuvre on the attack runs was an incredible sight and certainly isn’t something you get to see every day."

The aircraft are currently based at Šiauliai Air Base with 135 Expeditionary Air Wing.

The deployment sees RAF jets and personnel tasked with helping to protect NATO airspace in the region. 

While on the mission, RAF pilots are also taking part in training activities and exercises with NATO Allies and other regional partners.

Cover image: A Typhoon pilot flies over a NATO ship during the exercise (Picture: RAF).