UK jets will protect the skies of NATO's eastern flank once
again, working for the first time with Sweden to protect Polish
airspace.
British built Typhoon jets arrived in Eastern Poland today,
to take part in a NATO enhanced air policing mission on the
alliance's eastern flank.
RAF pilots will join up with Swedish Airforce Gripen fighter
jets, as Europe steps up together to defend the alliance
airspace. The deployment is the first time that Swedish fighter
jets will take part in air policing on the territory of another
NATO Ally since they joined the alliance in 2024.
Touching down in Poland today Defence Minister met with Polish Defence
Minister Władysław Marcin Kosiniak-Kamysz and Swedish Defence
Minister Pal Jonson, to outline the UK's commitment to European
security and to mark the start of the operation.
Defence Minister said:
“The UK is unshakeable in its commitment to NATO. With
threats increasing and growing Russian aggression, it is vital
that we stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies.
“This latest air policing mission in Poland displays the UK's
ability to operate effectively with NATO's newest member in
Sweden and deter our common adversaries across the alliance's
airspace, keeping us secure at home and strong
abroad.”
The mission comes as European NATO allies to step up on European
security and defence spending. NATO remains the cornerstone of UK
Defence and this government will continue to pursue a “NATO
first” defence policy and take on a leadership role in the
alliance.
Keeping the country safe is the Government's first priority, and
an integral part of its Plan for Change. The work of defence is
critical to the security and stability of the UK, keeping us
secure at home and strong abroad, whilst supporting all of the
Government's five missions as a foundation of its plan.
Poland is also a key UK defence and security partner, NATO Ally
and partner in the European Group of Five (E5). Our nations have
both been large supporters of Ukraine and have the led the way in
increasing defence spending in Europe.
In last week's Spring Statement, the Chancellor announced an
additional £2.2 billion for defence in 2025/26. This comes on top
of the announcement of the largest sustained increase in defence
spending since the Cold War, as the government will hit 2.5% of
GDP spend by April 2027, and has a commitment to hit 3% in the
next Parliament.
This mission follows on from 2024's successful air policing
missions across the continent. In April 2024, six Typhoon fighter
jets with over two hundred personnel were stationed in Romania
defending NATO's eastern border. Followed on by an August 2024
deployment of four cutting edge F-35B jets to Iceland, defending
NATO airspace in the high north.
This time, six British built typhoons from II (AC)
Squadron will be patrolling Polish airspace, having
travelled from RAF Lossiemouth.
RAF Typhoons and Voyagers also conduct NATO air policing in the
UK through the Quick Reaction Alert Force, based at RAF
Coningsby, Lossiemouth and Brize Norton, protecting UK airspace
24/7, 365 days a year.
