UK Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets have flown their first combat sortie as part of Operation Eastern Guardian to bolster NATO air defences on its eastern flank following a Russian drone incursion into Polish airspace, the UK Ministry of Defence said.
The two aircraft are known to have taken off from RAF Coningsby base in Lincolnshire on Friday night, supported by an RAF Voyager refuelling aircraft, and patrolled Polish airspace to deter and repel threats from Russia. They returned safely to the UK on Saturday morning, 20 September.
Britain’s Ministry of Defence said it was the first operation since the “dangerous and reckless” violation of Polish sovereign space by Russian drones – “the most serious case of violation of NATO airspace since the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine”. Other violations by Russian aircraft and drones have been recorded over the past week.
“The RAF fighter sorties over Poland are a clear signal: NATO airspace will be defended. I am proud of British pilots and crews who have successfully completed this mission, protecting our allies from reckless Russian aggression,” UK Defence Secretary John Gili said during a visit to RAF Brize Norton airbase.
Earlier, UK authorities confirmed that British Typhoon fighter jets will take part in NATO’s Operation Eastern Guardian to reinforce the North Atlantic alliance’s eastern borders. Their task will be to take part in Poland’s air defence against possible threats from Russian drones.
Polish President Karol Nawrocki on 14 September approved the deployment of NATO troops on the country’s territory. According to the National Security Bureau, the decision concerns Operation Eastern Guardian.