UK fighter jets have intercepted two Russian aircraft flying
close to NATO airspace as part of the UK's contribution to NATO's
enhanced Air Policing in the region.
Two RAF Typhoons were scrambled from Malbork Air Base in Poland
on Tuesday (April 15) to intercept a Russian Ilyushin Il-20M
“Coot-A” intelligence aircraft over the Baltic Sea.
Whilst on Thursday (17 April) another two Typhoons scrambled from
the base, to intercept an unknown aircraft leaving Kaliningrad
air space and close to NATO airspace.
The intercepts mark the RAF's first scramble as part of Operation
CHESSMAN and come just weeks after the aircraft arrived in
eastern Poland to begin their deployment alongside Sweden in
defence of NATO's Eastern Flank.
It follows the Prime Minister's historic commitment to increase
defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, recognising the critical
importance of military readiness in an era of heightened global
uncertainty.
Keeping the country safe is the Government's first priority and
foundation of its Plan for Change. The work of the Royal Air
Force is critical to the security and stability of the UK,
supporting the delivery of the Government's five missions.
Minister for the Armed Forces said:
“The UK is unshakeable in its commitment to NATO. With Russian
aggression growing and security threats on the rise, we are
stepping up to reassure our Allies, deter adversaries and protect
our national security through our Plan for Change.
“This mission shows our ability to operate side by side with
NATO's newest member Sweden and to defend the
Alliance's airspace wherever and whenever needed, keeping us
safe at home and strong abroad.”
The UK's deployment of six Typhoon jets and nearly 200 personnel
from 140 Expeditionary Air Wing is the UK's latest contribution
to NATO's air policing efforts, following successful operations
in Romania and Iceland last year.
It also represents a landmark in NATO integration with RAF jets
from RAF Lossiemouth operating alongside Swedish Gripens – the
first time Sweden has contributed fighter aircraft to another
Ally's air policing since joining NATO in 2024.
The intercepts come after the Defence Secretary's
visit to NATO last week where he reaffirmed the UK's unshakeable
commitment to the alliance and co-led a meeting of the Ukraine
Defence Contact Group in which more than 50 nations pledged a
total of £21 billion of support to Ukraine.
The Typhoon programme supports more than 20,000 jobs across all
regions of the UK every year, which is defending our security
whilst creating jobs back home.
The RAF's Quick Reaction Alert forces, based at RAF Coningsby,
Lossiemouth, and Brize Norton, remain ready to protect UK
airspace around the clock, while deployed operations like Op
CHESSMAN ensure that British airpower is defending the Alliance
wherever it is most needed.
