RAF fighters have intercepted two Russian aircraft, close to NATO airspace in the Baltic Sea.
The Ministry of Defense (MOD) said on Tuesday that the Malbork Airbase of Poland scrambled to intercept Russian IL-IL-IL-20M 20M “COOT-A” intelligence aircraft.
Two other typhoons competed from the base on Thursday, intercepting an unknown plane and leaving Karinlinkrad airspace near NATO airspace.
The interception marked the first scramble for the Royal Air Force and was part of a chess player operation, and Sweden began deploying with Sweden to defend the eastern side of NATO, weeks after the plane arrived in eastern Poland.
Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard said Britain’s commitment to NATO is “unshakable”.
He added: “With the growing aggressiveness of Russia and the rise of security threats, we are stepping up our guarantees to ensure our allies, block our opponents and protect our national security through our plans for change.
“This mission demonstrates our ability to fight alongside Sweden, the latest member of NATO, and defend the alliance’s airspace anywhere and whenever needed, to ensure our safety at home and abroad.”
After operations in Romania and Iceland last year, the UK deployed six typhoon jets and nearly 200 personnel of nearly 200 personnel.
The Ministry of Defense said it represents a “landmark of NATO integration” and the RAF’s Raf Lossimouth jet operates with Swedish Gripen Fighter Jets, which Sweden has contributed to its allies’ air policing for the first time since joining NATO in 2024.
The department said the intercept was after the NATO Ukrainian Defense Contact Group match in Brussels last week, where he co-chaired a meeting where more than 50 countries promised £2.1 billion in support to Ukraine.
In April 2024, six typhoon fighters were stationed in Romania to defend NATO’s eastern border.
Then in August 2024, four F-35B jets were deployed to Iceland to defend NATO’s northern airspace.
RAF’s Rapid Response Alert Force is located in Raf Coningsby, Lossiemouth and Brize Norton.
