- RAF Typhoons will fly air defence missions over Poland as
part of NATO's Eastern Sentry mission
- UK stepping up to help defend NATO's eastern flank following
Russian drone incursion into Poland
- UK's national security – the foundation of the Government's
Plan for Change – starts with an unwavering commitment to NATO
and Euro-Atlantic security
British fighter jets will fly 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 from
Denmark, France, and Germany, to bolster NATO's defence and
deterrence along its eastern flank.
This comes days after a reckless and dangerous incursion by
Russian drones into Poland's sovereign airspace – the most
significant violation of NATO airspace by President Putin to date
– and a further breach of Romanian airspace by a Russian drone
over the weekend.
The Typhoons will operate out of RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire
and are expected to start flying missions over Poland in the
coming days. They will be supported by RAF Voyager air-to-air
refuelling aircraft from RAF Brize Norton.
The commitment follows a meeting of the North Atlantic Council on
Wednesday 10 September where the UK and allies discussed the
situation following Poland's request for consultations under
Article 4 of the Washington Treaty. Allies expressed full
solidarity with Poland.
This new era of threat – exemplified by Russia's intensifying
airspace violations – requires a new era for Defence, and this
Government is delivering the largest sustained increase in
defence spending since the end of the Cold War, to 2.6% of GDP by
April 2027. The UK's national security – the foundation of
the Government's Plan for Change – starts with an unwavering
commitment to NATO and Euro-Atlantic security.
Prime Minister said:
“Russia's reckless behaviour is a direct threat to European
security and a violation of international law, which is why the
UK will support NATO's efforts to bolster its eastern flank
through Eastern Sentry.
“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.
"We will continue to stand firm in our support for Ukraine and
ramp up the pressure on Putin until there is a just and lasting
peace.”
Defence Secretary, MP, said:
“Russia's actions are reckless, dangerous, and unprecedented.
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.
“The UK is fully committed to playing its part in Eastern Sentry,
increasing our military presence on NATO's eastern flank even
further.
“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.”
The UK's commitment to helping NATO defend every inch of allied
territory is unshakeable. British Armed Forces play an extensive
role supporting NATO and Euro-Atlantic security, from the
permanent British Army presence in Estonia as part of NATO's
Forward Land Forces, to the UK's enduring commitment to NATO's
air policing mission. Over the past 18 months, the RAF has
deployed Typhoon jets to both Poland and Romania to protect NATO
airspace.
The RAF Typhoons will join Danish F-16s, French Rafales, and
German Eurofighters.
Typhoons are equipped with advanced sensors and weapons systems,
making them ideally suited to detecting, monitoring, and
intercepting potential aerial threats. They form the foundation
of the UK's Quick Reaction Alert force – ready to respond to any
threat to UK airspace 24/7, 365 days a year. These air defence
missions to Poland will enhance the security of NATO's airspace,
and have no impact to existing RAF commitments, including the
defence of UK skies.
