RAF Typhoon fighter jets have completed their first NATO policing mission over Poland since Russian drones violated the country's airspace earlier this month. The aircraft, designated with call signs "chaos 1-1" and "chaos 1-2", departed from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire on Friday night to patrol areas close to Belarusian and Russian airspace.
The mission took place ten days after 19 Russian drones were shot down over Polish territory and six days after another Russian drone was intercepted over Romania. Nothing significant was reported during the UK's inaugural NATO "Eastern Sentry" operation.
The drone incidents prompted Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk to warn that his country was closer to "open conflict" than at any time since the Second World War. Estonia's foreign ministry also reported that three Russian jets entered its airspace without permission on Friday, remaining there for 12 minutes.
Detailed Mission Operations
The fighter jets operated alongside a Voyager air-to-air refuelling aircraft in what crew described as a defensive mission. Refuelling operations occurred without incident, with the 88-foot fuel hose being attached to the fighter jets north of Hamburg and again 70 miles from the Belarusian border.
The second refuelling took place directly over the area where the 19 Russian drones had been shot down earlier this month. The jets, equipped with advanced sensors and infrared-guided missiles, refuelled at around 25,000 feet while the Voyager travelled at approximately 439mph.
On Friday night alone, the Voyager delivered 27.4 tonnes of fuel to the fighter jets, which positioned themselves just 12 metres away during the process that personnel describe as "having a drink". The refuelling was coordinated by a missions system operator using a traffic light-style system.
Government Response
Defence Secretary John Healey said the RAF pilots and crew were "standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Poland in defence of our shared security". He added: "RAF Typhoons have now flown their first air defence mission over Poland, sending a clear signal: Nato airspace will be defended."
Healey described the mission as particularly poignant given its timing during Battle of Britain commemorations. He said: "It is especially poignant that RAF pilots and crew are once again standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Poland in defence of our shared security - making us secure at home and strong abroad."
Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth said the mission reinforced "the UK's steadfast commitment to Nato and its allies". More than 400 UK personnel are due to support the NATO patrolling missions across eastern Europe, with the UK joining coordinated efforts alongside Denmark, France and Germany.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
