The UK’s Ministry of Defense ( MoD ) announced on Sunday that Royal Air Force (RAF ) fighter jets intercepted Russian aircraft flying close to the airspace of Nato ( North Atlantic Treaty Organization ).
According to the government, RAF fighters intercepted the Russian aviation as part of the United Kingdom’s commitment to Nato’s superior atmosphere policing in the region.
The UK MoD said in a statement,” Two RAF Typhoons were scrambled from Malbork Air Base in Poland on Tuesday to intercept a Russian Ilyushin Il-20M ‘ Coot-A’ intelligence aircraft over the Baltic Sea. Whilst on Thursday, another two Typhoons scrambled from the bottom, to catch an unidentified aircraft leaving Kaliningrad heat area and near to Nato airspace. “
It added,” The intercepts marked the RAF’s first struggle as part of Operation Chessman and appear only days after the plane arrived in northeast Poland to begin their implementation alongside Sweden in defence of Nato’s Eastern Flank. “
” Operation Chessman” is the United Kingdom’s participation in Nato’s improved air police.
‘ Unshakable in our commitment to Nato ‘
Minister for the armed forces, Luke Pollard, said the UK is “unshakeable in its dedication to Nato. “
Pollard stated,” With Russian anger growing and safety hazards on the rise, we are stepping up to reassure our friends, hinder enemies and protect our national security through our Plan for Change. This vision shows our ability to operate side by side with Nato’s newest part Sweden and to support the alliance’s airport wherever and whenever needed, keeping us safe at home and powerful worldwide. “
The UK has deployed six Typhoon jets and nearly 200 personnel from the 140 Expeditionary Air Wing is its latest contribution to the military alliance’s air policing efforts. This follows successful operations in Romania and Iceland last year.
Under the Typhoon programme, the MoD and RAF support more than 20,000 jobs across all regions of the UK every year.
