British fighter jets have intercepted Russian aircraft flying close to NATO airspace in recent days, the British Ministry of Defence announced in a statement today.
On Tuesday, two RAF Typhoon jets took off from Malbork Air Base in Poland to intercept a Russian Ilyushin Il-20M 'Coot-A' intelligence aircraft flying over the Baltic Sea, according to the statement.
Two more Typhoons took off from the same base two days later to intercept an unknown aircraft that was leaving the airspace of Kaliningrad, the Russian exclave located between Poland and Lithuania, and approaching NATO airspace.
The two missions are part of the RAF's first deployment in Operation Chessman, as part of the UK's contribution to improving NATO air surveillance.
The British aircraft arrived in eastern Poland just a few weeks ago as part of the effort alongside Sweden to defend NATO's eastern flank.
The UK government announced in late February its commitment to increase defence spending to 2.5% of UK GDP by 2027, the largest military allocation since the end of the Cold War, in response to the global crisis created by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“The UK remains unwaveringly committed to NATO. In the face of increasing Russian aggression and growing security threats, we are stepping up our efforts to reassure our allies, deter adversaries and protect our national security,” said UK Secretary of State for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard in a statement.
“This mission demonstrates our ability to operate alongside Sweden, NATO’s newest member, and to defend Alliance airspace wherever and whenever necessary, keeping us safe at home and strong abroad,” he added.
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