The UK will contribute RAF Typhoons to NATO’s EASTERN SENTRY mission after Russian drones violated Polish airspace.
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The UK Ministry of Defence this evening announced “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.”
Whitehall additionally stated: “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.”
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